|
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424 (b)(2)
|
Registration No. 333-156118
|
Final Pricing Supplement No. EYS-2
(to Product Supplement No. EYS-1 dated April 12, 2010 and
Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement each dated December 15, 2008)
AKTIEBOLAGET SVENSK EXPORTKREDIT (Publ)
(Swedish Export Credit Corporation)
Reverse Exchangeable Securities with Contingent Downside Protection
$18,062,000 10.50% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Apple Inc. due November 10, 2010
$8,166,000 13.00% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Baker Hughes Incorporated due November 10, 2010
$16,028,000 10.50% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Bank of America Corporation due November 10, 2010
$11,127,000 12.50% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Chesapeake Energy Corporation due November 10, 2010
$4,577,000 12.25% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. due November 10, 2010
$8,042,000 13.50% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Las Vegas Sands Corporation due August 10, 2010
$6,741,000 14.25% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common shares
of Research In Motion Limited due November 10, 2010
The securities are issued by AB Svensk Exportkredit (Swedish Export Credit Corporation) (SEK or the Issuer), and are Senior Medium-Term Notes of the Issuer, as described in the accompanying prospectus supplement. The securities and your return thereon at maturity are each linked to one, and only one of the Underlying Stocks listed above. You may participate in any or all of the security offerings.
The securities are not principal-protected. As a result, at maturity, you may receive less than all, and possible none of, your principal investment.
Each of the securities has a maturity of less than nine months.
The securities will mature on the dates listed above.
As described more fully under Offering Information below, at maturity, for each security you hold, you will receive either an amount in cash equal to the principal amount of the security, or, if a knock-in event occurs during the term of the relevant security and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price, a number of shares of the applicable Underlying Stock, as described more fully in the accompanying product supplement.
We will also pay interest at a fixed rate per annum on the principal amount of each security on the interest payment dates, in each case as specified herein. You will be entitled to receive all accrued and unpaid interest payments on the principal amount of your securities regardless of whether we deliver cash or shares of the Underlying Stock at maturity.
1
The securities will be obligations of SEK. No other company or entity will be responsible for payments under the securities.
No other entity or company will be responsible for payments under the securities or liable to holders of the securities in the event SEK defaults under the securities. The securities will not be obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Kingdom of Sweden or any internal division or agency thereof. The securities will not be issued by or guaranteed by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any of its affiliates. Neither the Kingdom of Sweden nor Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any of its affiliates will have any liability to purchasers of the securities in the event SEK defaults on the securities.
Investing in the securities involves a number of risks. See Selected Risk Considerations beginning on page 9.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, or any related pricing supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The securities are not deposits or savings accounts but are unsecured debt obligations of SEK. The securities are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or by any other governmental agency or instrumentality and are not guaranteed by the FDIC under the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC expects to deliver the securities in book-entry form only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company against payment in New York, New York, on May 6, 2010.
Investment Products
|
Not FDIC insured
|
May Lose Value
|
No Bank Guarantee
|
UPDATED CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Title of Each Class of
Securities To Be Registered
|
|
Amount To Be
Registered
|
|
Maximum
Aggregate
Price Per Unit
|
|
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
|
|
Amount of
Registration
Fee
|
Securities offered hereby
|
|
$72,743,000
|
|
100%
|
|
$72,743,000
|
|
$5,186.58(1)
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The registration fee is calculated in
accordance with Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act. $22,628.84 of the
registration fees paid in respect of the securities covered by the registration
statement of which the pricing supplement is a part remain unused. $5,186.58
of that amount is being offset against the registration fee for this offering
and $17,442.26
remains available for future registration fees.
|
Wells Fargo Securities
2
OFFERING INFORMATION
We will issue the securities under the indenture, as supplemented. The information contained in this section and in the product supplement, prospectus supplement and the prospectus summarizes some of the terms of the securities and the indenture, as supplemented. This summary does not contain all of the information that may be important to you as a potential investor in the securities. You should read the indenture and the supplemental indentures before making your investment decision. We have filed copies of these documents with the SEC and at the offices of the Trustee. You should also carefully consider the matters set forth under Selected Risk Considerations before you decide to invest in the securities.
For the purposes hereof, the terms Debt Securities, Indexed Security and Principal Indexed Security used in the prospectus, and the terms Notes and Indexed Notes used in the prospectus supplement, include the securities we are offering in this pricing supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
Offerings:
|
This pricing supplement relates to 7 separate offerings of securities, each of which is linked to one, and only one, Underlying Stock. You may participate in any or all of the security offerings. This pricing supplement does not, however, allow you to purchase a security linked to a basket of more than one or all of the Underlying Stocks described below.
|
|
Issuer:
Underlying Stock:
|
SEK
The Underlying Stock for each security offering will be the common stock (unless otherwise indicated) of the issuers as set forth in the table below:
|
|
|
Underlying Stock
|
|
Relevant
|
Ticker
|
|
(for each of the security offerings)
|
CUSIP No.
|
Exchange
|
Symbol
|
|
Apple Inc.
|
037833100
|
NASDAQ
|
AAPL
|
|
Baker Hughes Incorporated
|
057224107
|
NYSE
|
BHI
|
|
Bank of America Corporation
|
060505104
|
NYSE
|
BAC
|
|
Chesapeake Energy Corporation
|
165167107
|
NYSE
|
CHK
|
|
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
|
35671D857
|
NYSE
|
FCX
|
|
Las Vegas Sands Corporation
|
517834107
|
NYSE
|
LVS
|
|
Research In Motion Limited (common shares)
|
760975102
|
NASDAQ
|
RIMM
|
|
Agent:
Principal Amount per security:
Issue Price per security:
|
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
$1,000.00
100.00%
|
|
Maturity Date:
|
Securities linked to Apple Inc.
|
|
November 10, 2010
|
|
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated
|
November 10, 2010
|
|
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation
|
November 10, 2010
|
|
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation
|
November 10, 2010
|
|
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
|
November 10, 2010
|
|
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation
|
August 10, 2010
|
|
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited
|
November 10, 2010
|
|
Valuation Date:
(as further
|
Securities linked to Apple Inc.
|
November 3, 2010
|
described in product supplement
|
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated
|
November 3, 2010
|
no. EYS-1)
|
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation
|
November 3, 2010
|
|
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation
|
November 3, 2010
|
|
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
|
November 3, 2010
|
|
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation
|
August 3, 2010
|
|
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited
|
November 3, 2010
|
3
|
|
|
|
Interest:
|
Securities linked to Apple Inc., 10.50% per annum (5.3667% for the term of the securities), payable monthly.
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated, 13.00% per annum (6.6444% for the term of the securities), payable monthly.
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation, expected to be 10.50% per annum (5.3667% for the term of the securities), payable monthly.
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation, 12.50% per annum (6.3889% for the term of the securities), payable monthly.
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., 12.25% per annum (6.2611% for the term of the securities), payable monthly.
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation, 13.50% per annum (3.5250% for the term of the securities), payable monthly.
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited, 14.25% per annum (7.2833% for the term of the securities), payable monthly.
|
|
Interest Payment Dates:
|
Securities linked to Apple Inc.
|
10th of each month, starting June 10, 2010, to
and including the Maturity Date
|
|
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated
|
10th of each month, starting June 10, 2010, to
and including the Maturity Date
|
|
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation
|
10th of each month, starting June 10, 2010, to
and including the Maturity Date
|
|
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation
|
10th of each month, starting June 10, 2010, to
and including the Maturity Date
|
|
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
|
10th of each month, starting June 10, 2010, to
and including the Maturity Date
|
|
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation
|
10th of each month, starting June 10, 2010, to
and including the Maturity Date
|
|
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited
|
10th of each month, starting June 10, 2010, to
and including the Maturity Date
|
|
Initial Stock Price:
|
Securities linked to Apple Inc.
|
$268.64
|
|
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated
|
$51.42
|
|
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation
|
$18.30
|
|
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation
|
$23.61
|
|
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
|
$77.72
|
|
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation
|
$26.05
|
|
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited
|
$72.09
|
|
Knock-in Price:
|
Securities linked to Apple Inc.:
$214.912, the price that is 20.00% below the initial stock price.
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated:
$41.136, the price that is 20.00% below the initial stock price.
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation:
$13.725, the price that is 25.00% below the initial stock price.
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation:
$18.888, the price that is 20.00% below the initial stock price.
|
4
|
|
|
|
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.:
$58.290, the price that is 25.00% below the initial stock price.
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation:
$16.933, the price that is 35.00% below the initial stock price.
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited:
$57.672, the price that is 20.00% below the initial stock price.
|
|
Share Amount:
|
Securities linked to Apple Inc.
|
3.7225
|
|
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated
|
19.4477
|
|
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation
|
54.6448
|
|
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation
|
42.3549
|
|
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
|
12.8667
|
|
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation
|
38.3877
|
|
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited
|
13.8715
|
|
Exchange Listing:
|
None
|
|
|
Trade Date:
|
April 29, 2010
|
|
|
Original Issue Date:
|
May 6, 2010
|
|
|
CUSIP Number:
|
|
CUSIP No.
|
|
Securities linked to Apple Inc.
|
870297BM9
|
|
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated
|
870297BS6
|
|
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation
|
870297BR8
|
|
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation
|
870297BT4
|
|
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
|
870297BN7
|
|
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation
|
870297BQ0
|
|
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited
|
870297BP2
|
|
|
|
|
Securities linked to Apple Inc.
|
Per Security
|
|
Total
|
Public Offering Price
|
$1,000.00
|
|
$18,062,000.00
|
Underwriting Discount and Commission
(1)
|
$12.50
|
|
$225,775.00
|
Proceeds to SEK
|
$987.50
|
|
$17,836,225.00
|
|
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated
|
Per Security
|
|
Total
|
Public Offering Price
|
$1,000.00
|
|
$8,166,000.00
|
Underwriting Discount and Commission
(1)
|
$12.50
|
|
$102,075.00
|
Proceeds to SEK
|
$987.50
|
|
$8,063,925.00
|
|
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation
|
Per Security
|
|
Total
|
Public Offering Price
|
$1,000.00
|
|
$16,028,000.00
|
Underwriting Discount and Commission
(1)
|
$12.50
|
|
$200,350.00
|
Proceeds to SEK
|
$987.50
|
|
$15,827,650.00
|
|
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation
|
Per Security
|
|
Total
|
Public Offering Price
|
$1,000.00
|
|
$11,127,000.00
|
Underwriting Discount and Commission
(1)
|
$12.50
|
|
$139,087.50
|
Proceeds to SEK
|
$987.50
|
|
$10,987,912.50
|
|
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
|
Per Security
|
|
Total
|
Public Offering Price
|
$1,000.00
|
|
$4,577,000.00
|
Underwriting Discount and Commission
(1)
|
$12.50
|
|
$57,212.50
|
Proceeds to SEK
|
$987.50
|
|
$4,519,787.50
|
5
|
|
|
|
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation
|
Per Security
|
|
Total
|
Public Offering Price
|
$1,000.00
|
|
$8,042,000.00
|
Underwriting Discount and Commission
(1)
|
$9.00
|
|
$72,378.00
|
Proceeds to SEK
|
$991.00
|
|
$7,969,622.00
|
|
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited
|
Per Security
|
|
Total
|
Public Offering Price
|
$1,000.00
|
|
$6,741,000.00
|
Underwriting Discount and Commission
(1)
|
$12.50
|
|
$84,262.50
|
Proceeds to SEK
|
$987.50
|
|
$6,656,737.50
|
(1) In addition to the underwriting discount and commission, the public offering price specified above includes structuring and development costs and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the securities. The underwriting discount and commission and structuring and development costs total $19.53 per $1,000.00 principal amount of the securities linked to Apple Inc., $20.65 per $1,000.00 principal amount of the securities linked to Baker Hughes
Incorporated, $20.05 per $1,000.00 principal amount of the securities linked to Bank of America Corporation, $19.53 per $1,000.00 principal amount of the securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation, $20.24 per $1,000.00 principal amount of the securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., $10.43 per $1,000.00 principal amount of the securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation and $20.35 per $1,000.00 principal amount of the securities linked to Research In Motion
Limited. See Supplemental Plan of Distribution beginning on page PS-36 of the accompanying product supplement no. EYS-1 dated April 12, 2010.
6
ADDITIONAL TERMS SPECIFIC TO THE SECURITIES
You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated December 15, 2008, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement dated December 15, 2008, relating to our medium-term notes, series E, of which these securities are a part, and the more detailed information contained in product supplement no. EYS-1 dated April 12, 2010. This pricing supplement, together with these documents, contains the terms of the securities and supersedes all other prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials of ours.
You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement, the product supplement, the prospectus and the prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information, and we take no responsibility for any other information that others may give you. We and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are offering to sell the securities and seeking offers to buy the securities only in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is current only as of its date.
If the information in this pricing supplement differs from the information contained in the product supplement, the prospectus supplement or the prospectus, you should rely on the information in this pricing supplement.
In particular, each of the securities has a maturity of less than nine months.
You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in Risk Factors in the accompanying product supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement, as the securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisers before you invest in the securities.
You may access these documents on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC Web site):
Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC Web site is 352960. As used in this terms supplement, the Company, we, us, or our refers to SEK.
Incorporation of information we file with the SEC
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with them. This means:
-
incorporated documents are considered part of this pricing supplement;
-
we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents;
-
information in this pricing supplement automatically updates and supersedes information in earlier documents that are incorporated by reference in the prospectus; and
-
information that we file with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this pricing supplement will automatically update and supersede this pricing supplement.
We incorporate by reference our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, which we filed with the SEC on March 31, 2010.
We also incorporate by reference each of the following documents that we may file with the SEC after the date of this pricing supplement but before the end of the securities offering:
7
You may request a copy of any filings referred to above (excluding exhibits), at no cost, by contacting us at the following address:
AB Svensk Exportkredit
(Swedish Export Credit Corporation)
Västra Trädgårdsgatan 11B
10327 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel: 011-46-8-613-8300
Agent for service of process in New York
Under the Indenture (as defined below), we have irrevocably appointed Mr. David Dangoor, the honorary consul general of the Kingdom of Sweden in The City of New York as our authorized agent for service of process in any action based on the securities or the Indenture brought against us in any U.S. state or federal court in The City of New York. The contact information for Mr. Dangoor is as follows:
David Dangoor
Honorary Consul General of Sweden
455 Park Avenue, 21st Floor
New York, New York 10022
Tel. No.: +1-212-888-3000
8
SELECTED RISK CONSIDERATIONS
The following section of this pricing supplement contains information about risks that are particular to the securities. Investors in the securities are also exposed to further risks related to the issuer of the securities, SEK, which are described in SEKs annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein. See the information under Risk Factors beginning on page 4 of the annual report on Form 20-F.
An investment in the securities involves significant risks. Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing directly in the Underlying Stocks. These risks are explained in more detail in the Risk Factors sections of the accompanying product supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement.
No guaranteed return of principal
.
With an investment in the securities, you bear the risk of losing some or all of the value of your principal if a knock-in event occurs during the term of the securities and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price. Under these circumstances, at maturity, for each security you hold, the maturity payment amount that you will receive will be shares of the applicable Underlying Stock, which represents the number of shares of the applicable Underlying Stock equal to the share amount multiplied by the share multiplier. In these circumstances, you will lose some or all of the value of the principal amount of your securities and receive shares of the applicable Underlying Stock instead of a cash payment.
Yield may be lower
.
The yield that you will receive on your securities, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. Even if your yield is positive, your yield may be less than the yield you would earn if you bought a standard senior non-callable debt security with the same maturity date.
Relationship to the Underlying Stocks
.
You will have no rights against any of the Underlying Stock Issuers even though the market value of the securities and the amount you will receive at maturity depend on the performance of the applicable Underlying Stock. The Underlying Stock Issuers are not involved in the offering of the securities and have no obligations relating to the securities. In addition, you will not receive any dividend payments or other distributions on any of the Underlying Stocks, and as a holder of the securities, you will not have voting rights or any other rights that holders of the Underlying Stocks may have.
No active trading market
.
The securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange, the Nasdaq National Market or any electronic communications network. There can be no assurance that a liquid trading market will develop for the securities. The development of a trading market for the securities will depend on our financial performance and other factors such as the market price of any of the Underlying Stocks. Even if a secondary market for the securities develops, it may not provide significant liquidity and transaction costs in any secondary market could be high.
Potential conflicts of interest.
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or its affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in business that may adversely affect the price of the securities, including hedging activities. In addition, the inclusion of the underwriting discount and commission, and structuring and development costs in the initial public offering price and certain hedging costs are likely to adversely affect secondary market prices. In the course of business, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or its affiliates may acquire non-public information relating to any of the Underlying Stock Issuers and, in addition, one or more affiliates of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC may publish research reports about any of the Underlying Stock Issuers. Neither we nor Wells Fargo Securities, LLC make any representation to any purchasers of the securities regarding any matters whatsoever relating to any of the Underlying Stock Issuers.
HYPOTHETICAL RETURNS
The following table illustrates the hypothetical maturity payment amount and corresponding hypothetical return at maturity per security (in each case, including interest payments), for a range of hypothetical final stock prices and the corresponding hypothetical price return of each of the Underlying Stocks and whether or not a knock-in event has occurred.
The tables below assume no market disruption event, antidilution adjustments or settlement disruption event occurs. Also, the hypothetical rates of return shown below do not take into account the effects of applicable taxes. Because of the U.S. tax treatment applicable to the securities, tax liabilities could affect the after-tax rate of return on the securities to a comparatively greater extent than the after-tax return on each of the Underlying Stocks.
9
Securities linked to Apple Inc.
The examples are based on the following terms:
-
an initial stock price of $268.64;
-
a knock-in price of $214.912;
-
an interest rate of 10.50%; and
-
an investment term of 184 days.
The figures below are for purposes of illustration only. The actual maturity payment amount and the resulting return (inclusive of coupons) will depend on the actual final stock price and whether or not a knock-in event occurs, each determined by the calculation agent as described in this pricing supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Knock-In Event Has Occurred
|
A Knock-In Event Has Not Occurred
|
Hypothetical Final
Stock Price
|
Hypothetical Price
Return of the
Underlying Stock
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
$134.32
|
-50.00%
|
-44.63%
|
$553.67
|
-
|
-
|
$147.75
|
-45.00%
|
-39.63%
|
$603.67
|
-
|
-
|
$161.18
|
-40.00%
|
-34.63%
|
$653.67
|
-
|
-
|
$174.62
|
-35.00%
|
-29.63%
|
$703.67
|
-
|
-
|
$188.05
|
-30.00%
|
-24.63%
|
$753.67
|
-
|
-
|
$201.48
|
-25.00%
|
-19.63%
|
$803.67
|
-
|
-
|
$214.912 (2)
|
-20.00%
|
-14.63%
|
$853.67
|
-
|
-
|
$228.34
|
-15.00%
|
-9.63%
|
$903.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$241.78
|
-10.00%
|
-4.63%
|
$953.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$255.21
|
-5.00%
|
0.37%
|
$1,003.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$268.64 (3)
|
0.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$282.07
|
5.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$295.50
|
10.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$308.94
|
15.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$322.37
|
20.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$335.80
|
25.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$349.23
|
30.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$362.66
|
35.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$376.10
|
40.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$389.53
|
45.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$402.96
|
50.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
(1)
|
The returns at maturity specified above are not annualized rates of return but rather actual returns over the term of the security and, in the case of the securities, are calculated based on a 184-day investment term and, in the case of the Underlying Stock, do not take into account dividends, if any, paid on the Underlying Stock or any transaction fees and expenses.
|
(2)
|
This is the knock-in price.
|
(3)
|
This is the initial stock price.
|
10
The following graph sets forth the return at maturity for a range of final stock prices both if a knock-in event has occurred and if a knock-in event has not occurred.
Return Profile of 10.50% Enhanced Yield Securities vs. Apple Inc.
*
|
* Based on an interest rate of 10.50% per annum and a 184-day term.
|
11
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated
The examples are based on the following terms:
-
an initial stock price of $51.42;
-
a knock-in price of $41.136;
-
an interest rate of 13.00%; and
-
an investment term of 184 days.
The figures below are for purposes of illustration only. The actual maturity payment amount and the resulting return (inclusive of coupons) will depend on the actual final stock price and whether or not a knock-in event occurs, each determined by the calculation agent as described in this pricing supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Knock-In Event Has Occurred
|
A Knock-In Event Has Not Occurred
|
Hypothetical Final
Stock Price
|
Hypothetical Price
Return of the
Underlying Stock
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
$25.71
|
-50.00%
|
-43.36%
|
$566.44
|
-
|
-
|
$28.28
|
-45.00%
|
-38.36%
|
$616.44
|
-
|
-
|
$30.85
|
-40.00%
|
-33.36%
|
$666.44
|
-
|
-
|
$33.42
|
-35.00%
|
-28.36%
|
$716.44
|
-
|
-
|
$35.99
|
-30.00%
|
-23.36%
|
$766.44
|
-
|
-
|
$38.57
|
-25.00%
|
-18.36%
|
$816.44
|
-
|
-
|
$41.136 (2)
|
-20.00%
|
-13.36%
|
$866.44
|
-
|
-
|
$43.71
|
-15.00%
|
-8.36%
|
$916.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$46.28
|
-10.00%
|
-3.36%
|
$966.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$48.85
|
-5.00%
|
1.64%
|
$1,016.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$51.42 (3)
|
0.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$53.99
|
5.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$56.56
|
10.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$59.13
|
15.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$61.70
|
20.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$64.28
|
25.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$66.85
|
30.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$69.42
|
35.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$71.99
|
40.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$74.56
|
45.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
$77.13
|
50.00%
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
6.64%
|
$1,066.44
|
(1)
|
The returns at maturity specified above are not annualized rates of return but rather actual returns over the term of the security and, in the case of the securities, are calculated based on a 184-day investment term and, in the case of the Underlying Stock, do not take into account dividends, if any, paid on the Underlying Stock or any transaction fees and expenses.
|
(2)
|
This is the knock-in price.
|
(3)
|
This is the initial stock price.
|
12
The following graph sets forth the return at maturity for a range of final stock prices both if a knock-in event has occurred and if a knock-in event has not occurred.
Return Profile of 13.00% Enhanced Yield Securities vs. Baker Hughes Incorporated*
|
* Based on an interest rate of 13.00% per annum and a 184-day term.
|
13
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation
The examples are based on the following terms:
-
an initial stock price of $18.30;
-
a knock-in price of $13.725;
-
an interest rate of 10.50%; and
-
an investment term of 184 days.
The figures below are for purposes of illustration only. The actual maturity payment amount and the resulting return (inclusive of coupons) will depend on the actual final stock price and whether or not a knock-in event occurs, each determined by the calculation agent as described in this pricing supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Knock-In Event Has Occurred
|
A Knock-In Event Has Not Occurred
|
Hypothetical Final
Stock Price
|
Hypothetical Price
Return of the
Underlying Stock
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
$9.15
|
-50.00%
|
-44.63%
|
$553.67
|
-
|
-
|
$10.07
|
-45.00%
|
-39.63%
|
$603.67
|
-
|
-
|
$10.98
|
-40.00%
|
-34.63%
|
$653.67
|
-
|
-
|
$11.90
|
-35.00%
|
-29.63%
|
$703.67
|
-
|
-
|
$12.81
|
-30.00%
|
-24.63%
|
$753.67
|
-
|
-
|
$13.725 (2)
|
-25.00%
|
-19.63%
|
$803.67
|
-
|
-
|
$14.64
|
-20.00%
|
-14.63%
|
$853.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$15.56
|
-15.00%
|
-9.63%
|
$903.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$16.47
|
-10.00%
|
-4.63%
|
$953.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$17.39
|
-5.00%
|
0.37%
|
$1,003.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$18.30 (3)
|
0.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$19.22
|
5.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$20.13
|
10.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$21.05
|
15.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$21.96
|
20.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$22.88
|
25.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$23.79
|
30.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$24.71
|
35.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$25.62
|
40.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$26.54
|
45.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
$27.45
|
50.00%
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
5.37%
|
$1,053.67
|
(1)
|
The returns at maturity specified above are not annualized rates of return but rather actual returns over the term of the security and, in the case of the securities, are calculated based on a 184-day investment term and, in the case of the Underlying Stock, do not take into account dividends, if any, paid on the Underlying Stock or any transaction fees and expenses.
|
(2)
|
This is the knock-in price.
|
(3)
|
This is the initial stock price.
|
14
The following graph sets forth the return at maturity for a range of final stock prices both if a knock-in event has occurred and if a knock-in event has not occurred.
Return Profile of 10.50% Enhanced Yield Securities vs. Bank of America Corporation*
|
* Based on an interest rate of 10.50% per annum and a 184-day term.
|
15
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation
The examples are based on the following terms:
-
an initial stock price of $23.61;
-
a knock-in price of $18.888;
-
an interest rate of 12.50%; and
-
an investment term of 184 days.
The figures below are for purposes of illustration only. The actual maturity payment amount and the resulting return (inclusive of coupons) will depend on the actual final stock price and whether or not a knock-in event occurs, each determined by the calculation agent as described in this pricing supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Knock-In Event Has Occurred
|
A Knock-In Event Has Not Occurred
|
Hypothetical Final
Stock Price
|
Hypothetical Price
Return of the
Underlying Stock
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
$11.81
|
-50.00%
|
-43.61%
|
$563.89
|
-
|
-
|
$12.99
|
-45.00%
|
-38.61%
|
$613.89
|
-
|
-
|
$14.17
|
-40.00%
|
-33.61%
|
$663.89
|
-
|
-
|
$15.35
|
-35.00%
|
-28.61%
|
$713.89
|
-
|
-
|
$16.53
|
-30.00%
|
-23.61%
|
$763.89
|
-
|
-
|
$17.71
|
-25.00%
|
-18.61%
|
$813.89
|
-
|
-
|
$18.888 (2)
|
-20.00%
|
-13.61%
|
$863.89
|
-
|
-
|
$20.07
|
-15.00%
|
-8.61%
|
$913.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$21.25
|
-10.00%
|
-3.61%
|
$963.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$22.43
|
-5.00%
|
1.39%
|
$1,013.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$23.61 (3)
|
0.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$24.79
|
5.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$25.97
|
10.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$27.15
|
15.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$28.33
|
20.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$29.51
|
25.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$30.69
|
30.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$31.87
|
35.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$33.05
|
40.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$34.23
|
45.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
$35.42
|
50.00%
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
6.39%
|
$1,063.89
|
(1)
|
The returns at maturity specified above are not annualized rates of return but rather actual returns over the term of the security and, in the case of the securities, are calculated based on a 184-day investment term and, in the case of the Underlying Stock, do not take into account dividends, if any, paid on the Underlying Stock or any transaction fees and expenses.
|
(2)
|
This is the knock-in price.
|
(3)
|
This is the initial stock price.
|
16
The following graph sets forth the return at maturity for a range of final stock prices both if a knock-in event has occurred and if a knock-in event has not occurred.
Return Profile of 12.50% Enhanced Yield Securities vs. Chesapeake Energy Corporation*
|
* Based on an interest rate of 12.50% per annum and a 184-day term.
|
17
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
The examples are based on the following terms:
-
an initial stock price of $77.72;
-
a knock-in price of $58.290;
-
an interest rate of 12.25%; and
-
an investment term of 184 days.
The figures below are for purposes of illustration only. The actual maturity payment amount and the resulting return (inclusive of coupons) will depend on the actual final stock price and whether or not a knock-in event occurs, each determined by the calculation agent as described in this pricing supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Knock-In Event Has Occurred
|
A Knock-In Event Has Not Occurred
|
Hypothetical Final
Stock Price
|
Hypothetical Price
Return of the
Underlying Stock
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
$38.86
|
-50.00%
|
-43.74%
|
$562.61
|
-
|
-
|
$42.75
|
-45.00%
|
-38.74%
|
$612.61
|
-
|
-
|
$46.63
|
-40.00%
|
-33.74%
|
$662.61
|
-
|
-
|
$50.52
|
-35.00%
|
-28.74%
|
$712.61
|
-
|
-
|
$54.40
|
-30.00%
|
-23.74%
|
$762.61
|
-
|
-
|
$58.290 (2)
|
-25.00%
|
-18.74%
|
$812.61
|
-
|
-
|
$62.18
|
-20.00%
|
-13.74%
|
$862.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$66.06
|
-15.00%
|
-8.74%
|
$912.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$69.95
|
-10.00%
|
-3.74%
|
$962.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$73.83
|
-5.00%
|
1.26%
|
$1,012.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$77.72 (3)
|
0.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$81.61
|
5.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$85.49
|
10.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$89.38
|
15.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$93.26
|
20.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$97.15
|
25.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$101.04
|
30.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$104.92
|
35.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$108.81
|
40.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$112.69
|
45.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
$116.58
|
50.00%
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
6.26%
|
$1,062.61
|
(1)
|
The returns at maturity specified above are not annualized rates of return but rather actual returns over the term of the security and, in the case of the securities, are calculated based on a 184-day investment term and, in the case of the Underlying Stock, do not take into account dividends, if any, paid on the Underlying Stock or any transaction fees and expenses.
|
(2)
|
This is the knock-in price.
|
(3)
|
This is the initial stock price.
|
18
The following graph sets forth the return at maturity for a range of final stock prices both if a knock-in event has occurred and if a knock-in event has not occurred.
Return Profile of 12.25% Enhanced Yield Securities vs. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.*
|
* Based on an interest rate of 12.25% per annum and a 184-day term.
|
19
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation
The examples are based on the following terms:
-
an initial stock price of $26.05;
-
a knock-in price of $16.933;
-
an interest rate of 13.50%; and
-
an investment term of 94 days.
The figures below are for purposes of illustration only. The actual maturity payment amount and the resulting return (inclusive of coupons) will depend on the actual final stock price and whether or not a knock-in event occurs, each determined by the calculation agent as described in this pricing supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Knock-In Event Has Occurred
|
A Knock-In Event Has Not Occurred
|
Hypothetical Final
Stock Price
|
Hypothetical Price
Return of the
Underlying Stock
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
$13.03
|
-50.00%
|
-46.48%
|
$535.25
|
-
|
-
|
$14.33
|
-45.00%
|
-41.48%
|
$585.25
|
-
|
-
|
$15.63
|
-40.00%
|
-36.48%
|
$635.25
|
-
|
-
|
$16.933 (2)
|
-35.00%
|
-31.48%
|
$685.25
|
-
|
-
|
$18.24
|
-30.00%
|
-26.48%
|
$735.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$19.54
|
-25.00%
|
-21.48%
|
$785.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$20.84
|
-20.00%
|
-16.48%
|
$835.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$22.14
|
-15.00%
|
-11.48%
|
$885.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$23.45
|
-10.00%
|
-6.48%
|
$935.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$24.75
|
-5.00%
|
-1.48%
|
$985.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$26.05 (3)
|
0.00%
|
3.52%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$27.35
|
5.00%
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$28.66
|
10.00%
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$29.96
|
15.00%
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$31.26
|
20.00%
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$32.56
|
25.00%
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$33.87
|
30.00%
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$35.17
|
35.00%
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$36.47
|
40.00%
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$37.77
|
45.00%
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
$39.08
|
50.00%
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
3.53%
|
$1,035.25
|
(1)
|
The returns at maturity specified above are not annualized rates of return but rather actual returns over the term of the security and, in the case of the securities, are calculated based on a 94-day investment term and, in the case of the Underlying Stock, do not take into account dividends, if any, paid on the Underlying Stock or any transaction fees and expenses.
|
(2)
|
This is the knock-in price.
|
(3)
|
This is the initial stock price.
|
20
The following graph sets forth the return at maturity for a range of final stock prices both if a knock-in event has occurred and if a knock-in event has not occurred.
Return Profile of 13.50% Enhanced Yield Securities vs. Las Vegas Sands Corporation*
|
* Based on an interest rate of 13.50% per annum and a 94-day term.
|
21
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited
The examples are based on the following terms:
-
an initial stock price of $72.09;
-
a knock-in price of $57.672;
-
an interest rate of 14.25%; and
-
an investment term of 184 days.
The figures below are for purposes of illustration only. The actual maturity payment amount and the resulting return (inclusive of coupons) will depend on the actual final stock price and whether or not a knock-in event occurs, each determined by the calculation agent as described in this pricing supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A Knock-In Event Has Occurred
|
A Knock-In Event Has Not Occurred
|
Hypothetical Final
Stock Price
|
Hypothetical Price
Return of the
Underlying Stock
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
Hypothetical Return at
Maturity per Security
(Including Interest)
(1)
|
Hypothetical
Maturity Payment
Amount
per Security
(Including Interest)
|
$36.05
|
-50.00%
|
-42.72%
|
$572.83
|
-
|
-
|
$39.65
|
-45.00%
|
-37.72%
|
$622.83
|
-
|
-
|
$43.25
|
-40.00%
|
-32.72%
|
$672.83
|
-
|
-
|
$46.86
|
-35.00%
|
-27.72%
|
$722.83
|
-
|
-
|
$50.46
|
-30.00%
|
-22.72%
|
$772.83
|
-
|
-
|
$54.07
|
-25.00%
|
-17.72%
|
$822.83
|
-
|
-
|
$57.672 (2)
|
-20.00%
|
-12.72%
|
$872.83
|
-
|
-
|
$61.28
|
-15.00%
|
-7.72%
|
$922.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$64.88
|
-10.00%
|
-2.72%
|
$972.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$68.49
|
-5.00%
|
2.28%
|
$1,022.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$72.09 (3)
|
0.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$75.69
|
5.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$79.30
|
10.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$82.90
|
15.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$86.51
|
20.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$90.11
|
25.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$93.72
|
30.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$97.32
|
35.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$100.93
|
40.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$104.53
|
45.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
$108.14
|
50.00%
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
7.28%
|
$1,072.83
|
(1)
|
The returns at maturity specified above are not annualized rates of return but rather actual returns over the term of the security and, in the case of the securities, are calculated based on a 184-day investment term and, in the case of the Underlying Stock, do not take into account dividends, if any, paid on the Underlying Stock or any transaction fees and expenses.
|
(2)
|
This is the knock-in price.
|
(3)
|
This is the initial stock price.
|
22
The following graph sets forth the return at maturity for a range of final stock prices both if a knock-in event has occurred and if a knock-in event has not occurred.
Return Profile of 14.25% Enhanced Yield Securities vs. Research In Motion Limited*
|
* Based on an interest rate of 14.25% per annum and a 184-day term.
|
23
THE UNDERLYING STOCKS
The Underlying Stock Issuers
Provided below is a brief description of the Underlying Stock Issuers obtained from publicly available information published by the Underlying Stock Issuers. Neither we nor Wells Fargo Securities, LLC make any representation to any purchasers of the securities regarding any matters whatsoever relating to the Underlying Stock Issuers. Any prospective purchaser of the securities should undertake an independent investigation of the Underlying Stock Issuers as in its judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision regarding an investment in the securities.
Each of the Underlying Stocks is registered under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Companies with securities registered under the Exchange Act are required to file periodically financial and other information specified by the SEC. Information filed with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Room 1580, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of this material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section, at prescribed rates. In addition, information filed by each of the Underlying Stock Issuers with the SEC electronically can be reviewed through a website maintained by the SEC. The address of the SECs website is
http://www.sec.gov
.
According to its publicly available documents, Apple Inc. is a California corporation. Apple Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries design, manufacture, and market personal computers, mobile communication devices, and portable digital music and video players and sell a variety of related software, services, peripherals, and networking solutions. Information filed with the SEC by Apple Inc. under the Exchange Act can be located by reference to SEC file number 000-10030.
According to its publicly available documents, Baker Hughes Incorporated is a Delaware corporation engaged in the oilfield services industry. Baker Hughes Incorporated is a major supplier of wellbore-related products and technology services and systems. Information filed with the SEC by Baker Hughes Incorporated under the Exchange Act can be located by reference to SEC file number 1-9397.
According to its publicly available documents, Bank of America Corporation is a Delaware corporation, a bank holding company and a financial holding company. Bank of America Corporation provides a diversified range of banking and non-banking financial services and products through three business segments: Global Consumer and Small Business Banking, Global Corporate and Investment Banking and Global Wealth and Investment Management. Information filed with the SEC by Bank of America Corporation under the Exchange Act can be located by reference to SEC file number 1-06523.
According to its publicly available documents, Chesapeake Energy Corporation is an Oklahoma corporation. Chesapeake Energy Corporation is a producer of natural gas in the United States. Chesapeake Energy Corporations strategy is focused on discovering, acquiring and developing conventional and unconventional natural gas reserves onshore in the U.S., primarily in the Big 6 natural gas shale plays. Information filed with the SEC by Chesapeake Energy Corporation under the Exchange Act can be located by reference to SEC file number 1-13726.
According to its publicly available documents, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. is a Delaware corporation. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona that is one of the worlds largest copper, gold and molybdenum mining companies in terms of reserves and production. Information filed with the SEC by Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. under the Exchange Act can be located by reference to SEC file number 1-9916.
According to its publicly available documents, Las Vegas Sands Corporation is a Nevada corporation. Las Vegas Sands Corporation owns and operates resort hotel casinos and related properties in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Macau Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China, and is developing integrated resort properties in Pennsylvania and Singapore. Information filed with the SEC by Las Vegas Sands Corporation under the Exchange Act can be located by reference to SEC file number 001-32373.
According to its publicly available documents, Research In Motion Limited is incorporated under the
Business Corporations Act
(Ontario) and is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Information filed with the SEC by Research In Motion Limited under the Exchange Act can be located by reference to SEC file number 0-29898.
24
Historical Data
Each of the Underlying Stocks is listed on the Relevant Exchange under its respective symbol described above. The following tables set forth the high intra-day, low intra-day and quarter-end closing prices (in U.S. dollars) for Apple Inc., Baker Hughes Incorporated, Bank of America Corporation, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., Las Vegas Sands Corporation and Research In Motion Limited for the four calendar quarters in
each of 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, the first calendar quarter in 2010 and the period from April 1 through April 29, 2010. In the case of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the earliest period reflected in the table is that from December 16, 2004, the first date on which its common stock was publicly traded on the NYSE, through December 31, 2004. For each of the Underlying Stocks, the historical prices listed below were obtained from Bloomberg Financial Markets without independent
verification. These historical prices should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given that the price of either of the Underlying Stocks will not decrease such that you would receive less than the principal amount of your securities at maturity.
Any historical upward or downward trend in the price of any of the Underlying Stocks during any period shown below is not an indication that the price of that Underlying Stock is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time during the term of the securities. You should not take the historical performance levels as an indication of future performance of any of the Underlying Stocks. We cannot assure you that the future performance of any of the Underlying Stocks will result in your receiving the principal amount of your securities on the maturity date. The actual performance of each of the Underlying Stocks over the life of the securities may bear little relation to the historical levels shown below.
25
|
|
|
|
|
Apple Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter-End
|
Quarter-Start Date
|
Period-End Date
|
High Intra-Day Price
|
Low Intra-Day Price
|
Closing Price
|
1/1/2004
|
3/31/2004
|
14.07
|
10.59
|
13.53
|
4/1/2004
|
6/30/2004
|
17.10
|
12.75
|
16.27
|
7/1/2004
|
9/30/2004
|
19.64
|
14.37
|
19.38
|
10/1/2004
|
12/31/2004
|
34.79
|
18.83
|
32.20
|
1/1/2005
|
3/31/2005
|
45.44
|
31.30
|
41.67
|
4/1/2005
|
6/30/2005
|
44.44
|
33.11
|
36.81
|
7/1/2005
|
9/30/2005
|
54.56
|
36.29
|
53.61
|
10/1/2005
|
12/31/2005
|
75.46
|
47.87
|
71.89
|
1/1/2006
|
3/31/2006
|
87.05
|
57.67
|
62.72
|
4/1/2006
|
6/30/2006
|
73.38
|
55.41
|
57.12
|
7/1/2006
|
9/30/2006
|
77.78
|
50.35
|
77.03
|
10/1/2006
|
12/31/2006
|
93.15
|
72.60
|
84.84
|
1/1/2007
|
3/31/2007
|
97.80
|
81.90
|
92.91
|
4/1/2007
|
6/30/2007
|
127.60
|
89.60
|
122.04
|
7/1/2007
|
9/30/2007
|
155.00
|
111.62
|
153.54
|
10/1/2007
|
12/31/2007
|
202.96
|
150.64
|
198.08
|
1/1/2008
|
3/31/2008
|
200.2
|
115.44
|
143.50
|
4/1/2008
|
6/30/2008
|
192.24
|
144.54
|
167.44
|
7/1/2008
|
9/30/2008
|
180.91
|
100.61
|
113.66
|
10/1/2008
|
12/31/2008
|
116.40
|
79.16
|
85.35
|
1/1/2009
|
3/31/2009
|
109.90
|
78.20
|
105.12
|
4/1/2009
|
6/30/2009
|
146.40
|
103.90
|
142.43
|
7/1/2009
|
9/30/2009
|
188.89
|
134.42
|
185.37
|
10/1/2009
|
12/31/2009
|
213.94
|
180.76
|
210.86
|
1/1/2010
|
3/31/2010
|
237.48
|
190.26
|
234.93
|
4/1/2010
|
4/29/2010
|
272.46
|
232.76
|
268.64
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
Baker Hughes Incorporated
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter-End
|
Quarter-Start Date
|
Period-End Date
|
High Intra-Day Price
|
Low Intra-Day Price
|
Closing Price
|
1/1/2004
|
3/31/2004
|
38.77
|
31.56
|
36.48
|
4/1/2004
|
6/30/2004
|
38.87
|
33.45
|
37.65
|
7/1/2004
|
9/30/2004
|
44.27
|
37.12
|
43.72
|
10/1/2004
|
12/31/2004
|
45.30
|
39.80
|
42.67
|
1/1/2005
|
3/31/2005
|
48.36
|
40.74
|
44.49
|
4/1/2005
|
6/30/2005
|
52.10
|
41.81
|
51.16
|
7/1/2005
|
9/30/2005
|
61.90
|
50.80
|
59.68
|
10/1/2005
|
12/31/2005
|
63.13
|
50.37
|
60.78
|
1/1/2006
|
3/31/2006
|
78.33
|
61.15
|
68.40
|
4/1/2006
|
6/30/2006
|
89.30
|
66.64
|
81.85
|
7/1/2006
|
9/30/2006
|
83.95
|
61.09
|
68.20
|
10/1/2006
|
12/31/2006
|
78.85
|
64.92
|
74.66
|
1/1/2007
|
3/31/2007
|
73.81
|
62.26
|
66.13
|
4/1/2007
|
6/30/2007
|
89.95
|
65.69
|
84.13
|
7/1/2007
|
9/30/2007
|
92.10
|
73.65
|
90.37
|
10/1/2007
|
12/31/2007
|
100.29
|
76.40
|
81.10
|
1/1/2008
|
3/31/2008
|
82.13
|
62.65
|
68.50
|
4/1/2008
|
6/30/2008
|
90.76
|
67.48
|
87.34
|
7/1/2008
|
9/30/2008
|
90.45
|
56.53
|
60.54
|
10/1/2008
|
12/31/2008
|
58.94
|
24.40
|
32.07
|
1/1/2009
|
3/31/2009
|
38.95
|
25.69
|
28.55
|
4/1/2009
|
6/30/2009
|
43.00
|
27.38
|
36.44
|
7/1/2009
|
9/30/2009
|
44.61
|
33.12
|
42.66
|
10/1/2009
|
12/31/2009
|
48.18
|
37.66
|
40.48
|
1/1/2010
|
3/31/2010
|
52.40
|
41.00
|
46.84
|
4/1/2010
|
4/29/2010
|
54.80
|
47.00
|
51.42
|
27
|
|
|
|
|
Bank of America Corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter-End
|
Quarter-Start Date
|
Period-End Date
|
High Intra-Day Price
|
Low Intra-Day Price
|
Closing Price
|
1/1/2004
|
3/31/2004
|
41.50
|
38.81
|
40.49
|
4/1/2004
|
6/30/2004
|
42.83
|
38.52
|
42.31
|
7/1/2004
|
9/30/2004
|
44.99
|
41.77
|
43.33
|
10/1/2004
|
12/31/2004
|
47.47
|
42.94
|
46.99
|
1/1/2005
|
3/31/2005
|
47.20
|
43.43
|
44.10
|
4/1/2005
|
6/30/2005
|
47.42
|
43.47
|
45.61
|
7/1/2005
|
9/30/2005
|
46.05
|
41.14
|
42.10
|
10/1/2005
|
12/31/2005
|
47.25
|
41.38
|
46.15
|
1/1/2006
|
3/31/2006
|
47.20
|
42.98
|
45.54
|
4/1/2006
|
6/30/2006
|
50.50
|
45.26
|
48.10
|
7/1/2006
|
9/30/2006
|
54.00
|
47.59
|
53.57
|
10/1/2006
|
12/31/2006
|
55.08
|
51.32
|
53.39
|
1/1/2007
|
3/31/2007
|
54.21
|
48.36
|
51.02
|
4/1/2007
|
6/30/2007
|
52.20
|
48.55
|
48.89
|
7/1/2007
|
9/30/2007
|
52.77
|
46.52
|
50.27
|
10/1/2007
|
12/31/2007
|
52.95
|
40.61
|
41.26
|
1/1/2008
|
3/31/2008
|
45.08
|
33.25
|
37.91
|
4/1/2008
|
6/30/2008
|
41.37
|
23.65
|
23.87
|
7/1/2008
|
9/30/2008
|
38.85
|
18.44
|
35.00
|
10/1/2008
|
12/31/2008
|
38.50
|
10.01
|
14.08
|
1/1/2009
|
3/31/2009
|
14.81
|
2.53
|
6.82
|
4/1/2009
|
6/30/2009
|
15.06
|
6.45
|
13.20
|
7/1/2009
|
9/30/2009
|
18.25
|
11.27
|
16.92
|
10/1/2009
|
12/31/2009
|
18.64
|
14.12
|
15.06
|
1/1/2010
|
3/31/2010
|
18.35
|
14.25
|
17.85
|
4/1/2010
|
4/29/2010
|
19.82
|
17.41
|
18.30
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
Chesapeake Energy Corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter-End
|
Quarter-Start Date
|
Period-End Date
|
High Intra-Day Price
|
Low Intra-Day Price
|
Closing Price
|
1/1/2004
|
3/31/2004
|
13.98
|
11.71
|
13.40
|
4/1/2004
|
6/30/2004
|
15.05
|
12.69
|
14.72
|
7/1/2004
|
9/30/2004
|
16.24
|
13.69
|
15.83
|
10/1/2004
|
12/31/2004
|
18.31
|
15.18
|
16.50
|
1/1/2005
|
3/31/2005
|
23.64
|
15.06
|
21.94
|
4/1/2005
|
6/30/2005
|
23.98
|
17.85
|
22.80
|
7/1/2005
|
9/30/2005
|
38.98
|
22.90
|
38.25
|
10/1/2005
|
12/31/2005
|
40.01
|
26.62
|
31.73
|
1/1/2006
|
3/31/2006
|
35.57
|
27.80
|
31.41
|
4/1/2006
|
6/30/2006
|
33.75
|
26.81
|
30.25
|
7/1/2006
|
9/30/2006
|
33.76
|
28.07
|
28.98
|
10/1/2006
|
12/31/2006
|
34.27
|
27.92
|
29.05
|
1/1/2007
|
3/31/2007
|
31.83
|
27.27
|
30.88
|
4/1/2007
|
6/30/2007
|
37.75
|
30.88
|
34.60
|
7/1/2007
|
9/30/2007
|
37.15
|
31.38
|
35.26
|
10/1/2007
|
12/31/2007
|
41.19
|
35.25
|
39.20
|
1/1/2008
|
3/31/2008
|
49.83
|
34.44
|
46.15
|
4/1/2008
|
6/30/2008
|
68.10
|
45.26
|
65.96
|
7/1/2008
|
9/30/2008
|
73.89
|
31.19
|
35.86
|
10/1/2008
|
12/31/2008
|
35.43
|
9.84
|
16.17
|
1/1/2009
|
3/31/2009
|
20.13
|
13.28
|
17.06
|
4/1/2009
|
6/30/2009
|
24.66
|
16.45
|
19.83
|
7/1/2009
|
9/30/2009
|
29.49
|
16.92
|
28.40
|
10/1/2009
|
12/31/2009
|
30.00
|
22.07
|
25.88
|
1/1/2010
|
3/31/2010
|
29.20
|
22.10
|
23.64
|
4/1/2010
|
4/29/2010
|
24.91
|
23.12
|
23.61
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter-End
|
Quarter-Start Date
|
Period-End Date
|
High Intra-Day Price
|
Low Intra-Day Price
|
Closing Price
|
1/1/2004
|
3/31/2004
|
40.46
|
31.63
|
35.22
|
4/1/2004
|
6/30/2004
|
35.91
|
25.16
|
29.87
|
7/1/2004
|
9/30/2004
|
37.96
|
28.42
|
36.49
|
10/1/2004
|
12/31/2004
|
38.34
|
30.62
|
34.68
|
1/1/2005
|
3/31/2005
|
39.82
|
31.86
|
36.37
|
4/1/2005
|
6/30/2005
|
37.02
|
28.94
|
34.38
|
7/1/2005
|
9/30/2005
|
45.95
|
34.09
|
45.13
|
10/1/2005
|
12/31/2005
|
52.34
|
40.68
|
50.43
|
1/1/2006
|
3/31/2006
|
60.92
|
44.16
|
56.59
|
4/1/2006
|
6/30/2006
|
68.36
|
41.46
|
53.30
|
7/1/2006
|
9/30/2006
|
59.92
|
45.77
|
51.96
|
10/1/2006
|
12/31/2006
|
62.14
|
46.44
|
55.73
|
1/1/2007
|
3/31/2007
|
67.19
|
48.98
|
66.19
|
4/1/2007
|
6/30/2007
|
85.50
|
65.62
|
82.82
|
7/1/2007
|
9/30/2007
|
110.48
|
67.08
|
104.89
|
10/1/2007
|
12/31/2007
|
120.20
|
85.71
|
102.44
|
1/1/2008
|
3/31/2008
|
107.37
|
69.10
|
96.22
|
4/1/2008
|
6/30/2008
|
127.23
|
93.00
|
117.19
|
7/1/2008
|
9/30/2008
|
117.08
|
51.24
|
56.85
|
10/1/2008
|
12/31/2008
|
56.20
|
15.70
|
24.44
|
1/1/2009
|
3/31/2009
|
43.45
|
21.17
|
38.11
|
4/1/2009
|
6/30/2009
|
61.55
|
36.60
|
50.11
|
7/1/2009
|
9/30/2009
|
73.43
|
43.19
|
68.61
|
10/1/2009
|
12/31/2009
|
87.35
|
63.01
|
80.29
|
1/1/2010
|
3/31/2010
|
90.55
|
66.04
|
83.54
|
4/1/2010
|
4/29/2010
|
88.30
|
75.33
|
77.72
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
Las Vegas Sands Corporation
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter-End
|
Quarter-Start Date
|
Period-End Date
|
High Intra-Day Price
|
Low Intra-Day Price
|
Closing Price
|
12/16/2004*
|
12/31/2004
|
53.70
|
41.75
|
48.00
|
1/1/2005
|
3/31/2005
|
51.40
|
41.47
|
45.00
|
4/1/2005
|
6/30/2005
|
45.32
|
33.13
|
35.75
|
7/1/2005
|
9/30/2005
|
40.73
|
30.97
|
32.91
|
10/1/2005
|
12/31/2005
|
46.44
|
29.08
|
39.47
|
1/1/2006
|
3/31/2006
|
58.02
|
38.44
|
56.66
|
4/1/2006
|
6/30/2006
|
78.90
|
54.68
|
77.86
|
7/1/2006
|
9/30/2006
|
77.86
|
57.71
|
68.35
|
10/1/2006
|
12/31/2006
|
97.25
|
66.06
|
89.48
|
1/1/2007
|
3/31/2007
|
109.45
|
81.01
|
86.61
|
4/1/2007
|
6/30/2007
|
91.91
|
71.24
|
76.39
|
7/1/2007
|
9/30/2007
|
142.75
|
75.56
|
133.42
|
10/1/2007
|
12/31/2007
|
148.76
|
102.50
|
103.05
|
1/1/2008
|
3/31/2008
|
105.35
|
70.00
|
73.64
|
4/1/2008
|
6/30/2008
|
83.13
|
45.30
|
47.44
|
7/1/2008
|
9/30/2008
|
59.00
|
30.56
|
36.11
|
10/1/2008
|
12/31/2008
|
37.00
|
2.89
|
5.93
|
1/1/2009
|
3/31/2009
|
9.15
|
1.38
|
3.01
|
4/1/2009
|
6/30/2009
|
11.84
|
3.08
|
7.86
|
7/1/2009
|
9/30/2009
|
20.73
|
6.32
|
16.84
|
10/1/2009
|
12/31/2009
|
18.83
|
12.95
|
14.94
|
1/1/2010
|
3/31/2010
|
22.49
|
14.89
|
21.15
|
4/1/2010
|
4/29/2010
|
26.56
|
20.7
|
26.05
|
*
the first date on which the common stock of Las Vegas Sands Corporation was publicly traded on the NYSE.
31
|
|
|
|
|
Research In Motion Limited
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter-End
|
Quarter-Start Date
|
Period-End Date
|
High Intra-Day Price
|
Low Intra-Day Price
|
Closing Price
|
1/1/2004
|
3/31/2004
|
16.94
|
11.02
|
15.55
|
4/1/2004
|
6/30/2004
|
23.08
|
14.17
|
22.81
|
7/1/2004
|
9/30/2004
|
25.81
|
17.42
|
25.45
|
10/1/2004
|
12/31/2004
|
34.52
|
24.06
|
27.47
|
1/1/2005
|
3/31/2005
|
27.88
|
20.09
|
25.47
|
4/1/2005
|
6/30/2005
|
28.18
|
20.63
|
24.58
|
7/1/2005
|
9/30/2005
|
27.50
|
22.38
|
22.80
|
10/1/2005
|
12/31/2005
|
23.14
|
17.00
|
22.00
|
1/1/2006
|
3/31/2006
|
30.18
|
20.97
|
28.29
|
4/1/2006
|
6/30/2006
|
29.37
|
20.34
|
23.26
|
7/1/2006
|
9/30/2006
|
34.83
|
20.71
|
34.22
|
10/1/2006
|
12/31/2006
|
47.55
|
32.92
|
42.59
|
1/1/2007
|
3/31/2007
|
49.02
|
39.92
|
45.50
|
4/1/2007
|
6/30/2007
|
66.86
|
42.93
|
66.66
|
7/1/2007
|
9/30/2007
|
100.98
|
61.55
|
98.55
|
10/1/2007
|
12/31/2007
|
137.00
|
95.02
|
113.40
|
1/1/2008
|
3/31/2008
|
118.35
|
80.20
|
112.23
|
4/1/2008
|
6/30/2008
|
148.11
|
113.01
|
116.90
|
7/1/2008
|
9/30/2008
|
135.00
|
60.11
|
68.30
|
10/1/2008
|
12/31/2008
|
68.23
|
35.10
|
40.58
|
1/1/2009
|
3/31/2009
|
60.41
|
35.05
|
43.07
|
4/1/2009
|
6/30/2009
|
86.00
|
42.76
|
71.05
|
7/1/2009
|
9/30/2009
|
88.07
|
63.36
|
67.55
|
10/1/2009
|
12/31/2009
|
71.60
|
54.31
|
67.54
|
1/1/2010
|
3/31/2010
|
76.95
|
60.40
|
73.95
|
4/1/2010
|
4/29/2010
|
74.93
|
67.12
|
72.09
|
32
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION REGARDING TAXATION IN THE UNITED STATES
The amount of the coupon payments that constitute the interest component and the option premium component for U.S. federal income tax purposes (as described in the accompanying product supplement no. EYS-1 under
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
) are set forth in the table below:
|
|
|
|
|
Interest Component
|
|
Premium Component
|
Securities linked to Apple Inc.
|
0.27938
|
|
10.22062
|
Securities linked to Baker Hughes Incorporated
|
0.27938
|
|
12.72062
|
Securities linked to Bank of America Corporation
|
0.27938
|
|
10.22062
|
Securities linked to Chesapeake Energy Corporation
|
0.27938
|
|
12.22062
|
Securities linked to Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.
|
0.27938
|
|
11.97062
|
Securities linked to Las Vegas Sands Corporation
|
0.04034
|
|
13.45966
|
Securities linked to Research In Motion Limited
|
0.27938
|
|
13.97062
|
You should refer to the product supplement no. EYS-1 related to this offering for additional information relating to U.S. federal income tax and should consult your own tax advisors to determine tax consequences particular to your situation.
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The securities are being purchased by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (the agent) as principal, pursuant to terms agreements dated as of April 29, 2010 between the agent and us. The agent has agreed to pay our out-of-pocket expenses in connection with the issuance of the securities. See Supplemental plan of distribution beginning on page PS-36 of the accompanying product supplement no. EYS-1.
We will deliver the securities against payment therefor in New York, New York on the Original Issue Date listed on the cover of this Pricing Supplement, a date that is in excess of three business days following the Trade Date (which is also listed on the cover of this Pricing Supplement). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade securities more than three business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
33
|
PRODUCT SUPPLEMENT No. EYS-1 dated April 12, 2010
(to Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus dated December 15, 2008)
|
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-156118
|
AKTIEBOLAGET SVENSK EXPORTKREDIT (Publ)
(Swedish Export Credit Corporation)
Enhanced Yield Securities
Reverse Exchangeable Securities with
Contingent Downside Protection
We may offer from
time to time a class of Enhanced Yield Securities that are Reverse Exchangeable
Securities with Contingent Downside Protection, which we refer to as the
securities, that pay at maturity either their principal amount in
U.S. dollars or, under certain circumstances, shares of common stock or American
depositary shares, which we refer to, collectively, as the Underlying
Stock, of an Underlying Stock Issuer not affiliated with us. The
securities are a series of our Medium-Term Notes, Series E, as described in more
detail in the accompanying prospectus supplement. This product supplement
describes some of the general terms that may apply to the securities and the
general manner in which they may be offered, and supplements the terms described
in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus.
In particular, each
of the securities has a maturity of less than nine months.
A separate
preliminary pricing supplement or final pricing supplement, as the case may be,
will describe terms that apply specifically to the securities, including any
changes to the terms specified below. We refer to such preliminary pricing
supplements and final pricing supplements generally as pricing supplements. If
the terms described in the applicable pricing supplement are inconsistent with
those described herein or in the accompanying prospectus supplement and
prospectus, the terms described in the applicable pricing supplement will
control. The securities will have the following general terms:
|
|
Issuer:
|
Aktiebolaget Svensk Exportkredit (Publ) (Swedish Export Credit Corporation) (SEK)
|
Interest:
|
Interest will be payable periodically on the dates and at the rate specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
|
Underlying Stock:
|
The Underlying Stock will be identified in the applicable pricing supplement. The issuer of the Underlying Stock will have no obligations relating to, and will not sponsor or endorse, the securities.
|
Payment at Maturity:
|
On the maturity date, for each security you hold, you will receive a payment equal to the maturity payment amount, plus accrued but unpaid interest in cash.
-
The maturity payment amount will be a cash payment equal to the principal amount of your securities,
unless
:
(a) a knock-in event has occurred; and (b) the final stock price is less than the initial stock price.
If the conditions described in (a) and (b) both occur, at maturity, for each security you hold, the maturity payment amount you will receive will be in shares of the Underlying Stock equal to the share amount specified in the applicable terms supplement multiplied by the share multiplier (plus cash for any fractional shares).
|
PS-1
|
|
|
-
A knock-in event will occur if the market price of the Underlying Stock multiplied by the share multiplier at any time on any trading day, from the first trading day following the trade date to and including the valuation date, is less than or equal to the knock-in price. The knock-in price will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
-
The initial stock price will equal the closing price per share of the Underlying Stock on the trade date.
-
The final stock price will equal the closing price per share of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date multiplied by the share multiplier.
-
The valuation date will be the fifth trading day prior to the maturity date.
If a knock-in event has occurred and the
final stock price is less than the
initial stock price, you will lose some
or all of your principal and receive
shares of the Underlying Stock instead
of a cash payment. Under these
conditions, the market value on the
valuation date of the shares of the
Underlying Stock that you will receive
on the maturity date will be less than
the aggregate principal amount of your
securities and could be $0.00.
|
Listing:
|
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any electronic communications network.
|
For a detailed description of the terms of the securities, see the applicable pricing supplement as well as Summary Information beginning on page PS-4 and Description of the Securities beginning on page PS-20.
THE SECURITIES ARE NOT PRINCIPAL PROTECTED. YOU MAY LOSE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT, OR EVEN ALL, OR YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES. THE SECURITIES ARE OBLIGATIONS OF SEK AND NOT OF THE KINGDOM OF
SWEDEN.
Investing in the securities involves risks. See Risk Factors beginning on page PS-10. The securities are subject to certain selling restrictions in offers made outside the United States. See Selling Restrictions on page PS-34.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, or any related pricing supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Wells Fargo Securities
PS-2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In making your investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in the pricing supplement relevant to your investment, this product supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus with respect to the securities offered by the applicable pricing supplement and this product supplement and with respect to SEK. We have not authorized anyone to give you any additional or different information. The information in the applicable pricing supplement, this product supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus may only be accurate as of the dates of each of these documents, respectively.
The securities described in the applicable pricing supplement and this product supplement are not appropriate for all investors, and involve important legal and tax consequences and investment risks, which should be discussed with your professional advisers. You should be aware that the regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (
FINRA
) and the laws of certain jurisdictions (including regulations and laws that require brokers to ensure that investments are suitable for their customers) may limit the availability of the securities. The applicable pricing supplement, this product supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.
In this product supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, SEK, the Company, we,us and our refer to Aktiebolaget Svensk Exportkredit (Publ) (Swedish Export Credit Corporation) and agent(s) refer to any agent(s) for sales of securities identified in the applicable pricing supplement.
We are offering to sell, and are seeking offers to buy, the securities only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. Neither this product supplement nor the accompanying prospectus supplement, prospectus or pricing supplement constitutes an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities by any person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such an offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this product supplement nor the accompanying prospectus supplement, prospectus or pricing supplement nor any sale made hereunder implies that there has been no change in our affairs or that the information in this product supplement and accompanying prospectus supplement, prospectus and pricing supplement is correct as of any date after the date hereof.
You must (i) comply with all applicable laws and regulations in force in any jurisdiction in connection with the possession or distribution of this product supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement, prospectus and pricing supplement and the purchase, offer or sale of the securities and (ii) obtain any consent, approval or permission required to be obtained by you for the purchase, offer or sale by you of the securities under the laws and regulations applicable to you in force in any jurisdiction to which you are subject or in which you make such purchases, offers or sales; neither we nor the agents shall have any responsibility therefor.
PS-3
SUMMARY INFORMATION
This product
supplement describes, in general terms only, a specific series of our
Medium-Term Notes, Series E, namely Enhanced Yield Securities that are Reverse
Exchangeable Securities with Contingent Downside Protection, which we refer to
as the securities. Prior to the date on which an offering of
securities is priced, we will prepare a separate preliminary pricing supplement
that will apply specifically to that offering and will include the identity of
the Underlying Stock and the Underlying Stock Issuer as well as the other
specific terms of the offering. On the trade date, we will prepare a final
pricing supplement that, in addition to the identity of the Underlying Stock and
Underlying Stock Issuer and other specific terms of the offering, will also
include the specific pricing terms for that issuance of the securities. Any
pricing supplement should be read together with this product supplement and the
accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus.
What are the securities?
This product supplement describes one type of Enhanced Yield Securities: our Reverse Exchangeable Securities with Contingent Downside Protection. The Enhanced Yield Securities we describe in this product supplement are securities that pay at maturity either their principal amount in U.S. dollars or, under certain circumstances, a number of shares of common stock or American depositary shares of an underlying company, who we refer to as the Underlying Stock Issuer, not affiliated with us. SEK will be the issuer of the securities, and the securities will mature on the maturity date specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
The return on the securities is linked to the performance of the common stock or, in the case of non-United States issuers, American depositary shares, of the Underlying Stock Issuer specified in the applicable pricing supplement, which we refer to as the Underlying Stock, and will depend on whether a knock-in event occurs during the term of the securities and whether the final stock price is less than the initial stock price, each as described below. At maturity, you will receive either an amount in cash equal to the stated principal amount or, if a knock-in event occurs during the term of the securities and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price, a number of shares of the Underlying Stock, as described below.
As discussed in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, the securities are debt securities and are part of a series of debt securities entitled Medium-Term Notes, Series E that SEK may issue from time to time. However, each of the securities has a maturity of less than nine months. The securities are indexed notes, as described in the accompanying prospectus supplement, and will rank equally with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of SEK. For more details, see Description of the Securities beginning on page PS-20.
Each security will have a principal amount of $1,000.00. Each security will be offered at an initial public offering price of $1,000.00. You may transfer only whole securities. SEK will issue the securities in the form of a global certificate, which will be held by The Depository Trust Company, also known as DTC, or its nominee. Direct and indirect participants in DTC will record your ownership of the securities.
What are reverse exchangeable securities?
A reverse exchangeable security is a debt security that is exchangeable into the common stock of a company other than the issuer of the debt security; however, the principal amount of the reverse exchangeable security is
not
protected at maturity. Instead, under certain conditions (if a knock-in event has occurred and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price), the holder is exposed to the depreciation of the Underlying Stock. See Overview of Reverse Exchangeable Securities below.
Are the securities principal protected?
No, the securities do not guarantee any return of principal at maturity.
If a knock-in event has occurred and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price, you will lose some or all of your principal and receive shares of the Underlying Stock instead of the principal amount in cash at maturity. Under these conditions, the market value of the shares of the Underlying Stock you receive at maturity will be less than the price you paid for the securities, and you will lose some or all of your principal (but you will still receive accrued but unpaid interest).
See Overview of Reverse Exchangeable Securities Example of Hypothetical Payouts.
PS-4
Will I receive interest on the securities?
The securities will bear interest at a fixed rate per annum on the principal amount of each security on the interest payment dates, in each case as specified in the applicable pricing supplement. You will be entitled to receive all accrued and unpaid interest payments on the principal amount of your securities regardless of whether we deliver cash or shares of the Underlying Stock at maturity.
How is SEK able to offer an interest rate on the securities greater than either the dividend yield on the Underlying Stock or on a conventional principal-protected debt security of SEK?
SEK is able to
offer an interest rate on the securities that is greater than either the
dividend yield on the Underlying Stock or on a conventional principal-protected
debt security of SEK because the securities are riskier than conventional
principal-protected debt securities. As previously described, if a knock-in
event has occurred and the final stock price is less than the initial stock
price, at maturity you will receive shares of the Underlying Stock that are
worth less than the principal amount of the securities. The interest rate on the
securities takes into account the contingent risk that you will lose some of
your principal (which will occur if there has been a knock-in event and the
final stick price is less than the initial stock price). In general, with
respect to the securities we offer under this product supplement, if the
Underlying Stock is or is expected to be more volatile, then the securities will
either have a higher interest rate and have a knock-in price set at such a level
that a knock-in event is more likely or will have a lower interest rate but will
have a knock-in price set at such a level that a knock-in event is less
likely.
What will I receive upon maturity of the securities?
On the maturity date, for each security you hold, you will receive a payment equal to the maturity payment amount, plus accrued but unpaid interest in cash. Each of the securities has a maturity of less than nine months.
The maturity payment amount you will receive will be an amount in cash equal to the principal amount per security,
unless
:
|
(a)
|
a knock-in event has occurred;
and
|
|
|
(b)
|
the final stock price is less than the initial stock price.
|
If the conditions described in (a) and (b) both occur, at maturity, for each security you hold, the maturity payment amount you will receive will be a number of shares of the Underlying Stock equal to the share amount multiplied by the share multiplier.
The share amount is the number of shares of the Underlying Stock equal to the principal amount on the trade date. The share amount will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement, and will be determined as follows:
principal amount per security
initial stock price
If the number of shares to be delivered per security at maturity results in fractional shares, rather than delivering fractional shares at maturity, such fractional shares will be paid in U.S. dollar amounts equal to the fractional number of shares multiplied by the closing price per share of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date.
If a knock-in event has occurred and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price, you will lose some or all of the value of your principal and receive shares of the Underlying Stock instead of the principal amount in cash at maturity. Under these conditions, the market value on the valuation date of the shares of the Underlying Stock that you will receive on the maturity date will be less than the aggregate principal amount of your securities and could be $0.00 (but you will still receive accrued but unpaid interest in cash).
PS-5
The
initial stock price
will be the closing price per share of the Underlying Stock on the trade date and will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
The
final stock price
will be determined by the calculation agent and will equal the closing price per share of the Underlying Stock multiplied by the share multiplier, each as of the valuation date.
The
share multiplier
will be 1.0, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to the Underlying Stock Issuer described in this product supplement under Description of the Securities Antidilution Adjustments.
A
knock-in event
will occur if, as determined by the calculation agent, the market price of the Underlying Stock multiplied by the share multiplier has fallen to or below the knock-in price at any time during regular business hours of the relevant exchange on any trading day from the first trading day following the trade date to and including the valuation date.
The
knock-in price
will be a price that is below the initial stock price and will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
The
closing price
for one share of the Underlying Stock (or one unit of any other security for which a closing price must be determined) on any trading day means:
-
if the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, the last reported sale price, regular way, of the principal trading session on such day on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act, on which the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is listed or admitted to trading, or
-
if the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange but is included in the OTC Bulletin Board Service (the
OTC Bulletin Board
) operated by FINRA, the last reported sale price of the principal trading session on the OTC Bulletin Board on such day.
If the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange but the last reported sale price, as applicable, is not available pursuant to the preceding sentence, then the closing price for one share of the Underlying Stock (or one unit of any such other security) on any trading day will mean the last reported sale price of the principal trading session on the over-the-counter market or the OTC Bulletin Board on such day.
If the last reported sale price for the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is not available pursuant to either of the two preceding sentences, then the closing price for any trading day will be the mean, as determined by the calculation agent, of the bid prices for the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) obtained from as many recognized dealers in such security, but not exceeding three, as will make such bid prices available to the calculation agent. Bids of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any of its affiliates may be included in the calculation of such mean, but only to the extent that any such bid is the highest of the bids obtained. The term OTC Bulletin Board will include any successor service thereto.
The
market price
is, on any trading day and at any time during the regular business hours of the relevant exchange, the latest reported sale price of the Underlying Stock (or any other security for which a market price must be determined) on that relevant exchange at that time, as determined by the calculation agent.
The
valuation
date
means the fifth trading day prior to the maturity date. However, if
that date occurs on a day on which the calculation agent has determined that a
market disruption event has occurred or is continuing, then the valuation date
will be the next succeeding trading day on which the calculation agent has
determined that a market disruption event has not occurred or is not continuing.
In no event, however, will the valuation date be later than the eighth business
day after the valuation date as originally scheduled. If the valuation date is
postponed to the last possible day but a market disruption event occurs or is
continuing on that day, that day will nevertheless be the valuation date. If the
calculation agent determines that the final stock price is not available on the
valuation date, as so postponed, either because of a market disruption event or
for any other reason, the calculation agent will nevertheless determine the
final stock price and thus the maturity payment amount, based on its assessment,
made in its sole discretion, of the value of the Underlying Stock on the
valuation date, as so postponed.
If the valuation date is postponed, then the
maturity date of the securities will be postponed by an equal number of trading
days.
The maturity date will always be both a business day and a day on
which banking institutions in Stockholm, Sweden generally are not authorized or
obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close (a
Stockholm
business day
). In the event the maturity date would otherwise be a date that
is not both a business day and a Stockholm business day, the maturity date will
be postponed to the next succeeding date that is both a business day and
Stockholm business day and no additional interest shall accrue or be payable as
a result of such postponement.
PS-6
A
trading day
means a day, as determined by the calculation agent, on which trading is generally conducted on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (
NYSE
), the American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Options Exchange and in the over-the-counter market for equity securities in the United States.
A
business day
means a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York generally are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
The
relevant exchange
is the primary U.S. securities organized exchange or market of trading for the Underlying Stock. If a reorganization event has occurred, the relevant exchange will be the stock exchange or securities market on which the distribution property (as defined below under Description of the Securities Antidilution Adjustments Adjustments for Reorganization Events on page PS-28) that is a listed equity security is principally traded, as determined by the calculation agent.
If a knock-in event has occurred and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price, you will lose some or all of your principal and you will receive shares of the Underlying Stock worth less than the principal amount of your securities instead of a cash payment (but you will still receive accrued but unpaid interest in cash).
Who should or should not consider an investment in the securities?
We have designed the securities for investors who are willing to make an investment that is contingently exposed to the full downside performance risk of the Underlying Stock and the potential loss of some or all of the value of their principal, who do not expect to participate in any appreciation in the price of the Underlying Stock and who are willing to receive shares of the Underlying Stock as the return on their investment if a knock-in event occurs during the terms of the securities and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price. In exchange for the potential downside exposure to the Underlying Stock described in the preceding sentence, investors in the securities will receive monthly interest payments at a rate specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
The securities are not designed for, and may not be a suitable investment for, investors who are unwilling to make an investment that is exposed to the full downside performance risk of the Underlying Stock. The securities are also not designed for, and may not be a suitable investment for, investors who seek the full upside appreciation in the market price of the Underlying Stock. The securities may not be a suitable investment for investors who prefer the lower risk of fixed income investments with comparable maturities issued by companies with comparable credit ratings, or who are unable or unwilling to hold the securities to maturity.
What will I receive if I sell the securities prior to maturity?
The market value of the securities may fluctuate during the term of the securities. Several factors and their interrelationship will influence the market value of the securities, including the market price of the Underlying Stock, dividend yields on the Underlying Stock, the time remaining to maturity of the securities, interest and yield rates in the market and the volatility of the market price of the Underlying Stock. If you sell your securities prior to maturity, you may have to sell them at a discount to the principal amount of the securities. Depending on the impact of these factors, you may receive less than the principal amount in any sale of your securities before the maturity date of the securities and less than what you would have received had you held the securities until maturity. For more details, see Risk Factors Many factors affect the market value of the securities.
Who is the Underlying Stock Issuer?
You should independently investigate the Underlying Stock Issuer specified in the applicable pricing supplement and decide whether an investment in the securities linked to the Underlying Stock is appropriate for you. The applicable pricing supplement will also specify the country in which the Underlying Stock Issuer is organized if it is not organized in the United States and may inform you of additional risks that you should consider when making an investment linked to Underlying Stock issued by an entity organized in the specified country.
Companies with
securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act
), are required to file periodically certain financial and
other information specified by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
SEC
). Information provided to or filed with the SEC can be inspected at
the SECs public reference facilities or accessed over the Internet through
the SECs website. The address of the SECs website is
http://www.sec.gov. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the
Underlying Stock Issuer pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference
to the SEC file number provided in the applicable pricing supplement. In
addition, information regarding the Underlying Stock Issuer may be obtained from
other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles
and other publicly disseminated information. We make no representation or
warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any such information.
PS-7
What is the Underlying Stock Issuers role in the securities?
The Underlying Stock Issuer has no obligations relating to the securities or amounts to be paid to you, including no obligation to take the needs of SEK or of holders of the securities into consideration for any reason. The Underlying Stock Issuer will not receive any of the proceeds of any offering of the securities, is not responsible for, and has not participated and will not participate in, the offering of the securities and is not responsible for, and will not participate in, the determination or calculation of the maturity payment amount. SEK will not be not affiliated with the Underlying Stock Issuer.
How has the Underlying Stock performed historically?
The applicable pricing supplement will contain a table with the high, low and closing prices per share of the Underlying Stock for a specified time period. This table will appear in a section of the applicable pricing supplement entitled The Underlying Stock Historical Data. We will obtain historical trading price information from a commercial provider of such information, and we will not independently verify that price information. The commercial provider will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement. You should not take the past performance of the Underlying Stock as an indication of how the Underlying Stock will perform in the future.
What are the United States federal income tax consequences of investing in the securities?
For U.S. federal
income tax purposes, the Issuer intends to treat the securities as a grant by
you to the Issuer of a put option on the Underlying Stock in exchange for
periodic payments of option premiums. In addition, the Issuer intends to treat
the amounts invested by you as an interest bearing cash deposit that at maturity
of the securities either will be used to satisfy your purchase obligation if the
put option is exercised or will be returned to you. By purchasing the securities
you will be deemed to have agreed to the above-described treatment. Under this
treatment, you generally will be required to include the interest payment as
interest income at the time that such interest is accrued or received in
accordance with your method of accounting, but generally you will not be
required to include any amounts treated as option premium payment under this
treatment in income until sale or other taxable disposition of the securities or
retirement of the securities for cash.
Under this treatment, upon the retirement for cash, sale or other taxable disposition of the securities, you will generally have short-term capital gain or loss equal to (x) the cash you receive upon the retirement, sale or other disposition, plus (y) the amount of the option premium actually received as part of the coupons, minus (z) your purchase price of the securities. You should not expect to recognize any gain or loss on the receipt of the Underlying Stock on retirement of the securities, and your tax basis in the Underlying Stock generally will equal your purchase price for the securities less the amount of the entire option premium.
Due to the absence of authority as to the proper characterization of the securities, no assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service will accept, or that a court will uphold, the Issuers characterization and tax treatment described above, and alternative treatments of the securities could result in less favorable U.S. federal income tax consequences to you. You should refer to the section Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations beginning on page PS-32 for more information.
If you are a holder of the securities that is not a U.S. person, payments made with respect to the securities should not be subject to U.S. withholding tax, provided that you comply with applicable certification requirements. If you are a holder of the securities that is not a U.S. person, any capital gain realized upon the maturity, sale or other disposition of the securities (including capital gain arising from the option premium) will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if (i) such gain is not effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business and (ii) if you are an individual, you are not present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the retirement for cash, sale or other disposition and the gain is not attributable to a fixed place of business maintained by you in the United States.
You should refer to the section Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations beginning on page PS-32 for additional information relating to U.S. federal income tax and should consult your own tax advisors to determine tax consequences particular to your situation.
PS-8
Will the securities be listed on a stock exchange?
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any electronic communications network. Even if the securities are listed on an securities exchange or an electronic communications network, there can be no assurance that a liquid trading market will develop for the securities. Accordingly, if you sell your securities prior to maturity, you may have to sell them at a substantial loss. You should review the section entitled Risk Factors There may not be an active trading market for the securities in this product supplement.
Are there any risks associated with my investment?
Yes, an investment in the securities is subject to significant risks, including the risk of loss of some or all of your principal. We urge you to read the detailed explanation of risks in Risk Factors beginning on page PS-10.
PS-9
RISK FACTORS
An investment in
the securities is subject to the risks described below, as well as the risks
described under Risks Associated With Foreign Currency Notes and Indexed
Notes in the accompanying prospectus supplement and any additional risk
factors identified in the applicable pricing supplement. The securities are not
secured debt and are riskier than ordinary debt securities. Because the return
to investors is linked to the performance of the common stock or the American
depositary shares of the Underlying Stock Issuer specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, there is no guaranteed return of principal at maturity.
Also, an investment in the securities is not equivalent to investing directly in
the Underlying Stock to which the securities are linked.
Investors in
the securities are also exposed to further risks related to the issuer of the
securities, SEK, which are described in SEKs annual report on Form 20-F
for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed with the SEC and incorporated by
reference herein. See the information under Risk Factors beginning
on page 4 of the annual report on Form 20-F.
This section (and the
Risk Factors section of the annual report on Form 20-F) describe the
most significant risks relating to the securities. You should carefully consider
whether the securities are suited to your particular circumstances before
you decide to purchase them.
Your investment may result in a loss of some or all of your principal
Unlike standard
senior non-callable debt securities, the securities do not guarantee the return
of the principal amount at maturity. With an investment in the securities, you
bear the risk of losing some or all of the value of your principal if a knock-in
event occurs during the term of the securities and the final stock price is less
than the initial stock price. Under these circumstances, at maturity, for each
security you hold, the maturity payment amount that you will receive will be in
shares of the Underlying Stock equal to the share amount multiplied by the share
multiplier.
Accordingly, if a knock-in event has occurred during the term of
the securities (i.e., the market price of the Underlying Stock has declined to
or below the knock-in price during the term of the securities) and the final
stock price is less than the initial stock price you will lose some or all of
the value of the principal amount of your securities, and you will receive
shares of the Underlying Stock, which may be worth $0.00, instead of a cash
payment.
Your yield may be lower than the yield on a standard debt security of comparable maturity
The yield that you will receive on your securities, which could be negative if a knock-in event occurs during the term of the securities and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price, may be less than the return you could earn on other investments. Your maturity payment amount in cash will not be greater than the aggregate principal amount of your securities. Even if your yield is positive, your yield may be less than the yield you would earn if you bought a standard senior non-callable debt security of SEK with the same maturity date. Your investment may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you take into account factors that affect the time value of money.
Owning the securities is not the same as owning the Underlying Stock
Your return will
not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned and held the
Underlying Stock for a similar period because the maturity payment amount per
security will never exceed the principal amount of your securities and will be
determined without taking into consideration the value of any dividends that may
be paid on the Underlying Stock. The securities represent senior unsecured
obligations of ours and do not represent or convey any rights of ownership in
the Underlying Stock, other than the right to receive a payment at maturity in
shares of the Underlying Stock if a knock-in event has occurred and the final
stock price is less than the initial stock price. In addition, you will not
receive any dividend payments or other distributions on the Underlying Stock
and, as a holder of the securities, you will not have voting rights or any other
rights that holders of the Underlying Stock may have. If the return on the
Underlying Stock over the term of the securities exceeds the principal amount of
the securities and the interest payments you receive, your return on the
securities at maturity will be less than the return on a direct investment in
the Underlying Stock without taking into account taxes and other costs related
to such a direct investment. If the market price of the Underlying Stock
increases above the initial stock price during the term of the securities, the
market value of the securities will not increase by the same amount. It is also
possible for the market price of the Underlying Stock to increase while the
market value of the securities declines.
There may not be an active trading market for the securities
Unless otherwise
specified in the applicable pricing supplement, the securities will not be
listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any electronic communications
network. Even if the securities are listed on an securities exchange or an
electronic communications network, there can be no assurance that a liquid
trading market will develop for the securities. The development of a trading
market for the securities will depend on our financial performance and other
factors such as the increase, if any, in the market price of the Underlying
Stock. Even if a secondary market for the securities develops, it may not
provide significant liquidity and transaction costs, including but not limited
to commissions and dealer discounts, in any secondary market could be high. As a
result, the difference between bid and asked prices for the securities in any
secondary market could be substantial. If you sell your securities before
maturity, you may have to do so at a discount from the public offering price,
and, as a result, you may suffer substantial losses.
PS-10
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and its broker-dealer affiliates currently intend to make a market for the securities, although they are not required to do so and may stop any such market-making activities at any time. As market makers, trading of the securities may cause Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or its broker-dealer affiliates to have long or short positions in the securities. The supply and demand for the securities, including inventory positions of market makers, may affect the secondary market for the securities.
Many factors affect the market value of the securities
The market value of the securities will be affected by factors that interrelate in complex ways. It is important for you to understand that the effect of one factor may offset the increase in the market value of the securities caused by another factor and that the effect of one factor may compound the decrease in the market value of the securities caused by another factor. We expect that the market value of the securities will depend substantially on the market price of the Underlying Stock at any time during the term of the securities relative to the initial stock price.
If you choose to sell your securities when the market price of the Underlying Stock exceeds or is equal to the initial stock price, you may receive substantially less than the amount that would be payable at maturity based on this market price because of the expectation that the market price of the Underlying Stock will continue to fluctuate until the final stock price is determined and the risk that a knock-in event may occur. In addition, we believe that other factors that may influence the value of the securities include:
-
whether a knock-in event has already occurred or the likelihood of a knock-in event occurring prior to the maturity date;
-
the volatility (frequency and magnitude of changes in market price) of the Underlying Stock and in particular market expectations regarding the volatility of the Underlying Stock;
-
interest rates generally as well as changes in interest rates and the yield curve;
-
the dividend yield on the Underlying Stock;
-
the time remaining to maturity of the securities;
-
our creditworthiness, as represented by our credit ratings or as otherwise perceived in the market;
-
the occurrence of certain events affecting the Underlying Stock Issuer that may or may not require an adjustment to the share multiplier; and
-
geopolitical conditions and economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events, as well as other conditions, that affect stock markets generally and that may affect the Underlying Stock Issuer and the market price of the Underlying Stock.
Historical performance of the Underlying Stock should not be taken as an indication of its future performance during the term of the securities
You cannot predict
the future performance of Underlying Stock based on its historical performance.
The Underlying Stock has performed differently in the past and is expected to
perform differently in the future. The market price of the Underlying Stock will
be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and
other factors that can affect the Underlying Stock Issuer. You should refer to
the applicable pricing supplement for a description of the Underlying Stock
Issuer and historical data on the Underlying Stock. The market price of the
Underlying Stock may decrease to or below the knock-in price and remain below
the initial stock price until maturity so that you will receive at maturity
shares of Underlying Stock worth less than the principal amount of the
securities. We cannot guarantee that the market price of the Underlying Stock
will stay above the knock-in price over the life of the securities or that, if
the market price of the Underlying Stock has decreased to or below the knock-in
price, the market price of the Underlying Stock will recover and be at or above
the initial stock price on the valuation date so that you will receive at
maturity an amount at least equal to the principal amount of the securities.
PS-11
We and our affiliates expect to have no affiliation with any Underlying Stock Issuer and are not responsible for its public disclosure of information
We do not expect any Underlying Stock Issuer to be an affiliate of ours. We do not expect any Underlying Stock Issuer to be involved with any offering of the securities in any way. Consequently, we do not expect to have any ability to control the actions of any Underlying Stock Issuer, including any corporate actions of the type that would require the calculation agent to adjust the payout to you at maturity on the securities. No Underlying Stock Issuer will have an obligation to consider your interest as an investor in the securities in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of your securities. We do not expect to have any ability to control the public disclosure of these corporate actions or any events or circumstances affecting them.
Each security will be an unsecured debt obligation of SEK only and will not be an obligation of any Underlying Stock Issuer. None of the money you pay for the securities will go to any Underlying Stock Issuer. Since the Underlying Stock Issuer is not involved in the offering of the securities in any way, it has no obligation to consider your interest as an owner of securities in taking any actions that might affect the value of your securities. An Underlying Stock Issuer may take actions that will adversely affect the market value of the securities linked to that issuers Underlying Stock.
The securities will be obligations of SEK. No other company or entity will be responsible for payments under the securities.
The securities will be issued by SEK. The securities will not be guaranteed by any other company or entity. No other entity or company will be responsible for payments under the securities or liable to holders of the securities in the event SEK defaults under the securities. SEKs credit ratings are an assessment of our ability to pay our obligations, including those on the securities. Consequently, actual or anticipated declines in our credit ratings may affect the value of the securities. The securities will not be obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Kingdom of Sweden or any internal division or agency thereof. The securities will not be issued by or guaranteed by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any of its affiliates. Neither the Kingdom of Sweden nor Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any of its affiliates will have any liability to purchasers of the securities in the event SEK defaults on the securities.
The securities may become exchangeable into the common stock of a company other than the Underlying Stock Issuer
Following certain corporate events relating to the Underlying Stock, such as a stock-for-stock merger where the Underlying Stock Issuer is not the surviving entity, you will receive at maturity cash or in shares of the common stock of a successor corporation to the Underlying Stock Issuer based on the closing price of such successors common stock. We describe the specific corporate events that can lead to these adjustments in the section of this prospectus called Description of the Securities Antidilution Adjustments. The occurrence of such corporate events and the consequent adjustments may materially and adversely affect the market price of the securities.
You have limited antidilution protection
Wells Fargo
Securities, LLC, as calculation agent for your securities, will, in its sole
discretion, adjust the share multiplier and, thus, the market price used to
determine whether or not the knock-in price has been reached and, if applicable,
the number of shares of Underlying Stock deliverable at maturity for certain
events affecting the Underlying Stock, such as stock splits and stock dividends,
and certain other corporate actions involving the Underlying Stock Issuer, such
as mergers. However, the calculation agent will not make an adjustment for every
corporate event that could affect the Underlying Stock. For example, the
calculation agent is not required to make any adjustments to the share
multiplier if the Underlying Stock Issuer or anyone else makes a partial tender
or partial exchange offer for the Underlying Stock. If an event occurs that does
not require the calculation agent to adjust the amount of Underlying Stock
payable at maturity, the market price of the securities may be materially and
adversely affected. You should refer to Description of the Securities
Antidilution Adjustments beginning on page PS-25 for a description
of the general circumstances in which the calculation agent will make
adjustments to the share multiplier.
Hedging transactions may affect the return on the securities
As described below
under Use of Proceeds and Hedging, we through one or more of our
hedging counterparties may hedge our obligations under the securities by
purchasing the Underlying Stock, futures or options on the Underlying Stock or
other derivative instruments with returns linked or related to changes in the
market price of the Underlying Stock, and our hedging counterparties may adjust
these hedges by, among other things, purchasing or selling the Underlying Stock,
futures, options or other derivative instruments with returns linked to the
Underlying Stock at any time. Although they are not expected to, any of these
hedging activities may adversely affect the market price of the Underlying Stock
and, therefore, the market value of the securities. It is possible that our
hedging counterparties could receive substantial returns from these hedging
activities while the market value of the securities declines.
PS-12
The inclusion of the underwriting discount and commission and the structuring and development costs in the initial public offering price of the securities and certain hedging costs are likely to adversely affect secondary market prices for the securities
Assuming no change
in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is willing to purchase the securities in secondary
market transactions will likely be lower than the initial public offering price
set forth in the applicable pricing supplement. The initial public offering
price will include, and secondary market prices are likely to exclude the
underwriting discount and commission paid in connection with the initial
distribution and the structuring and development costs. In addition, any such
price is also likely to reflect dealer discounts, mark-ups and other transaction
costs, such as a discount to account for costs associated with establishing or
unwinding any related hedge transaction. We expect such costs will include the
projected profit that our hedge counterparty expects to realize in consideration
for assuming the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities.
In addition, any such prices may differ from values determined by pricing models
used by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as a result of dealer discounts, mark-ups
or other transactions.
The calculation agent may postpone the
valuation date and, therefore, the determination of the final stock price and
the maturity date if a market disruption event occurs on the valuation
date
The valuation date
and, therefore, the determination of the final stock price may be postponed if
the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event has occurred or
is continuing on the valuation date. If a postponement occurs, the calculation
agent will use the closing price per share of the Underlying Stock on the next
succeeding trading day on which no market disruption event occurs or is
continuing (in no event, however, will the valuation date be later than the
eighth business day after the valuation date as originally scheduled). As a
result, the maturity date for the securities would also be postponed. You will
not be entitled to any compensation from us or the calculation agent for any
loss suffered as a result of the occurrence of a market disruption event, any
resulting delay in payment or any change in the market price of the Underlying
Stock resulting from the postponement of the valuation date. See the definition
of valuation date below and Description of the Securities
Market Disruption Event beginning on page PS-23.
Potential conflicts of interest could arise
Wells Fargo
Securities, LLC and its affiliates expect to engage in trading activities
related to the Underlying Stock, including hedging transactions for their
proprietary account, for other accounts under their management or to facilitate
transactions on behalf of customers. Any of these activities could adversely
affect the value of the Underlying Stock and, therefore, the market value of the
securities and payment at maturity. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC may also issue
or underwrite securities or financial or derivative instruments with returns
linked to changes in the value of the Underlying Stock. These trading activities
may present a conflict between your interest in your securities and the
interests that Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and its affiliates will have in their
proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including block trades, for
their customers and in accounts under their management. These trading
activities, if they influence the market price of the Underlying Stock, could be
adverse to your interests as a holder of the securities.
Wells Fargo
Securities, LLC or its affiliates may presently or from time to time engage in
business with us or the Underlying Stock Issuer. This business may include
extending loans to, or making equity investments in, the Underlying Stock Issuer
or providing advisory services to the Underlying Stock Issuer, including merger
and acquisition advisory services. In the course of business, Wells Fargo
Securities, LLC or its affiliates may acquire non-public information relating to
the Underlying Stock Issuer and, in addition, one or more affiliates of Wells
Fargo Securities, LLC may publish research reports about the Underlying Stock
Issuer. We do not make any representation to any purchasers of the securities
regarding any matters whatsoever relating to the Underlying Stock Issuer. Any
prospective purchaser of the securities should undertake an independent
investigation of the Underlying Stock Issuer as in its judgment is appropriate
to make an informed decision regarding an investment in the securities.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the securities are uncertain
No statutory,
administrative or judicial authority directly addresses the characterization of
the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no ruling is being
requested from the Internal Revenue Service with respect to the securities. As a
result, no assurance can be given that the Internal Revenue Service or a court
will agree with the tax consequences described under Certain United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations beginning on page PS-32. It is also
possible that future United States legislation, regulations or other Internal
Revenue Service guidance would require you to treat all or a portion of the gain
you may recognize upon sale or maturity as ordinary income taxable at ordinary
income rates (as opposed to capital gains rates) or to treat the securities in
another manner that significantly differs from the agreed-to treatment discussed
under Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations, and
that any such guidance could have retroactive effect.
PS-13
You should refer to the section Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations beginning on page PS-32 for additional information relating to U.S. federal income tax and should consult your own tax advisors to determine tax consequences particular to your situation.
Special Risks When the Underlying Stock is American Depositary Shares
Certain additional risks apply to investments in the securities for which the Underlying Stock is comprised of American depositary shares of non-U.S. companies, as described below.
There are important differences between the rights of holders of ADSs and the rights of holders of the shares of stock that the ADSs represent
If your security is
linked to the value of American depositary shares (
ADSs
), and not to the
underlying common shares (or the equity equivalent of common shares in the
relevant country) of the Underlying Stock Issuer, you should be aware of the
differences between ADSs and the underlying shares. ADSs are securities that
represent a specified number of underlying shares of a non-U.S. company. The
rights and responsibilities of the Underlying Stock Issuer and the ADS holders
may be different from the rights of holders of the shares underlying the ADSs,
and the Underlying Stock Issuer may have different responsibilities to such
shareholders from those it has to the holders of its ADSs. For example, an
issuer of ADSs may make distributions in respect of its underlying shares that
are not passed on to holders of its ADSs or are passed to holders of its ADSs at
a later time. In addition, the calculation agent will not be required to make
anti-dilution adjustments for every corporate event that may affect the shares
of stock that the ADSs represent.
ADSs may trade differently from the shares of stock that the ADSs represent
ADSs represent the underlying shares of non-U.S. companies. These underlying shares are not quoted and traded in U.S. dollars. You should be aware that an investment in securities linked to the value of ADSs involves particular risks. For example, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the currency of the Underlying Stock Issuers country of organization and the U.S. dollar may affect the U.S. dollar equivalent of the foreign currency price of the underlying shares of the ADS issuer and may, in turn, affect the U.S. dollar market price of the ADSs and may correspondingly affect the market value of your security.
The exchange rate between the currency in which the shares underlying the ADSs are issued (usually the Underlying Stock Issuers home currency), on the one hand, and the U.S. dollar, on the other hand, may fluctuate over time due to the interaction of many factors directly or indirectly affecting economic and political conditions in the Underlying Stock Issuers country of organization and the United States, including economic and political developments in other countries.
In addition, the shares underlying an ADS are frequently subject to restrictions on foreign ownership in the local securities market which may, due to an excess in demand in foreign ownership for the underlying shares relative to the supply of underlying shares made available for foreign ownership in the form of ADSs or other instruments, cause the ADSs to trade at a premium (
i.e.
, a higher price per underlying share represented by the ADS) to the related underlying shares in the local securities market. This premium, if any, may be reduced or eliminated depending upon changes in supply and demand due to general market forces or in a reduction in or elimination of the restrictions on foreign ownership of the underlying shares in the local securities market.
While the ADSs of ADS issuers are listed and traded in the United States, the shares of stock of those companies are quoted and traded on foreign securities markets, which may have less liquidity and greater volatility than U.S. markets and market developments may affect foreign markets differently from U.S. or other securities markets. Also, there may be less publicly available information about foreign companies, including those that file periodic reports with the SEC, than about those U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC. Foreign companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.
PS-14
OVERVIEW OF REVERSE EXCHANGEABLE SECURITIES
We have provided the following information to help you understand the securities more fully. This section discusses the characteristics of reverse exchangeable securities we are offering, and provides payout scenarios and other information to help you understand how the securities work and how they differ from more conventional debt securities.
The payout structure of the securities is part of a general class of securities referred to as reverse exchangeable securities.
What are reverse exchangeable securities?
The term reverse exchangeable securities refers generally to a particular type of security that is:
-
income bearing
-
non-principal protected (i.e. principal investment is at risk)
-
exchangeable into the common stock of an issuer other than the issuer of the debt security (the underlying stock) in the event of a decline in the performance of that underlying common stock.
Reverse exchangeable securities are also sometimes referred to as reverse convertible securities.
What is the difference between a reverse exchangeable security and a conventional exchangeable bond?
For a conventional (not a reverse) convertible or exchangeable bond, the principal amount is typically protected at maturity, and the holder has the option to convert or exchange the bond for the underlying stock, such that the investor participates in the appreciation of the underlying stock. In simplified terms, a convertible or exchangeable bond is economically equivalent to a debt security, or bond, plus a long call option on the underlying stock (
i.e.
, the investor is the purchaser of the call option and has the right to purchase, or call, the underlying stock).
A reverse exchangeable security can be thought of as the inverse of an exchangeable bond. That is, as with an exchangeable bond, a reverse exchangeable security is a debt security that is exchangeable into the common stock of an issuer other than the issuer of the debt security. However, the principal amount of the reverse exchangeable security is
not
protected at maturity. Instead of the holder participating in the appreciation of the underlying stock, the holder is exposed to the depreciation of the underlying stock. In simplified terms, a reverse exchangeable security is economically equivalent to a debt security, or bond, plus a short put option on the underlying stock (
i.e.
, the investor is the seller of the put option and can be forced to accept the common stock in lieu of payment on the debt security).
Why is the interest rate payable on a reverse exchangeable security higher than on a conventional bond issued by the same issuer?
As discussed above, a reverse exchangeable security is economically equivalent to a bond plus a short put option on the underlying stock. Consistent with this, the coupon payable on a reverse exchangeable security is economically equivalent to the interest rate payable on the hypothetical bond plus the premium payable in respect of the hypothetical short put option. Because of the premium portion of the interest rate, the interest rate on a reverse exchangeable security is greater than the interest rate payable on a conventional bond of the issuer. Frequently, the interest rate payable on a reverse exchangeable security can be comparable to, or may even exceed, the interest rates payable on certain high-yield bonds.
A higher interest rate reflects the potential risk of loss of principal. In the case of a high-yield bond, the interest rate is derived from the credit risk of the issuer. In the case of a reverse exchangeable security, the interest rate is derived from the risk of a decrease in the trading price of the underlying stock. In general, with respect to the securities we offer under this product supplement, if the Underlying Stock is or is expected to be more volatile, then the securities will either have a higher interest rate and have a knock-in price set at such a level that a knock-in event is more likely or will have a lower interest rate but will have a knock-in price set at such a level that a knock-in event is less likely.
PS-15
What is a knock-in reverse exchangeable security?
A
knock-in reverse exchangeable security is a particular type of
reverse exchangeable security. Unlike a conventional reverse exchangeable
security which provides exposure to the depreciation of the underlying stock at
maturity under all circumstances, a knock-in reverse exchangeable security
provides exposure to the depreciation of the underlying stock only if certain
conditions are met,
i.e.
, only if a knock-in event has
occurred and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price. Only in
these circumstances is the embedded put option exercised, and at maturity
investors receive the underlying stock, which will be worth less than the
principal amount of the securities. Because the risk of loss of principal is
contingent in a knock-in reverse exchangeable security but is not contingent in
a conventional reverse exchangeable security, for the same underlying stock and
the same investment term, the interest rate payable on a knock-in reverse
exchangeable security is lower than on a conventional reverse exchangeable
security.
The securities that are covered by this product supplement are knock-in reverse exchangeable securities.
What are the payout scenarios for the securities?
The following flow chart demonstrates the basic payout scenarios for the securities:
Examples of Hypothetical Payouts
Set forth below are four hypothetical examples of the calculation of the payment at maturity for a hypothetical issuance of the particular type of reverse exchangeable securities this product supplement describes. Interest on the securities will be paid monthly regardless of whether the maturity payment amount is payable in cash equal to the principal amount or in shares of the Underlying Stock worth less than the principal amount.
Note that, for different Underlying Stocks, the interest rate and knock-in price (relative to the initial stock price) will vary, and will depend in large part on the volatility of the Underlying Stock. In general, with respect to the securities we offer under this product supplement, if the Underlying Stock is or is expected to be more volatile, then the securities will either have a higher interest rate and have a knock-in price set at such a level that a knock-in event is more likely or will have a lower interest rate but will have a knock-in price set at such a level that a knock-in event is less likely. The interest rate and knock-in price for a particular offering of securities will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
For purposes of these examples, we have assumed the following:
|
|
|
|
|
Hypothetical initial stock price:
|
$
|
100.00
|
|
Hypothetical knock-in price:
|
$
|
80.00 (20% below the hypothetical
initial stock price)
|
|
Share multiplier on the valuation date:
|
|
1.0
|
Based on the above hypothetical terms, if a knock-in event has occurred and the hypothetical final stock price is
less
than the hypothetical initial stock price, the maturity payment amount per security will equal 10 shares of Underlying Stock (assuming no change in the share multiplier due to corporate events affecting the Underlying Stock), determined as follows:
|
|
|
|
=
|
(
|
principal amount
initial stock price
|
) × share multiplier
|
|
|
|
|
=
|
(
|
$1,000.00
$100.00
|
)
× 1.0 = 10 shares of Underlying Stock
|
PS-16
Example 1
The hypothetical final stock price is equal to 60.00% of the hypothetical initial stock price and a knock-in event
has
occurred:
|
|
|
|
|
Hypothetical final stock price:
|
$
|
60.00
|
|
Maturity payment amount (per security):
|
|
10 shares of Underlying Stock
|
Since a knock-in event
has
occurred
and
the hypothetical final stock price is
less
than the hypothetical initial stock price, the maturity payment amount per security would be equal to 10 shares of the Underlying Stock with an aggregate market value on the valuation date equal to $600.00, representing a 40.00% loss of the principal amount per security.
Note that, in this example, the hypothetical final stock price is not only less than the hypothetical initial stock price, it is also less than the knock-in price. The knock-in event could have occurred on the valuation date or on any trading day from the first trading day following the trade date to and including the valuation date.
Example 2
The hypothetical final stock price is equal to 85.00% of the hypothetical initial stock price and a knock-in event
has
occurred (
i.e.
, at some time during the term of the securities the market price of the Underlying Stock trade to or below the knock-in price at any time during regular business hours of the relevant exchange on any trading day from the first trading day following the trade date to and including the valuation date):
|
|
|
|
|
Hypothetical final stock price:
|
$
|
85.00
|
|
Maturity payment amount (per security):
|
|
10 shares of Underlying Stock
|
Since a knock-in event
has
occurred
and
the hypothetical final stock price is
less
than the hypothetical initial stock price, the maturity payment amount per security would be equal to 10 shares of the Underlying Stock with an aggregate market value on the valuation date equal to $850.00, representing a 15.00% loss of the principal amount per security.
Note that, in this example, the hypothetical final stock price is higher than the knock-in price but less than the hypothetical initial stock price. This example illustrates the fact that, if a knock-in event occurs during the term of the securities, the maturity payment amount will be payable in shares of the Underlying Stock worth less than the principal amount per security even if, subsequent to the occurrence of a knock-in event, the Underlying Stock recovers some but not all of its decline in value such that, on the valuation date, the hypothetical final stock price less than the hypothetical initial stock price.
Example 3
The hypothetical final stock price is equal to 85.00% of the hypothetical initial stock price but a knock-in event
has not
occurred:
|
|
|
|
|
Hypothetical final stock price:
|
$
|
85.00
|
|
Maturity payment amount (per security):
|
$
|
1,000.00
|
Since a knock-in event
has not
occurred, the maturity payment amount per security would be paid in cash in an amount equal to the full principal amount of $1,000.00 in cash even though the hypothetical final stock price is
less
than the hypothetical initial stock price.
Note that, in this example as in Example 2, the hypothetical final stock price is higher than the knock-in price but less than the hypothetical initial stock price. This example illustrates the fact that the maturity payment amount will be payable in cash equal to the principal amount per security even if the hypothetical final stock price is less than the hypothetical initial stock price, so long as a knock-in event has not occurred during the term of the securities.
Example 4
The hypothetical final stock price is equal to 140.00% of the hypothetical initial stock price (regardless whether a knock-in event has or has not occurred):
|
|
|
|
|
Hypothetical final stock price:
|
$
|
140.00
|
|
Maturity payment amount (per security):
|
$
|
1,000.00
|
Since the hypothetical final stock price is
greater
than the hypothetical initial stock price, the maturity payment amount per security would be paid in cash in an amount equal to the $1,000.00 principal amount per security, regardless of whether a knock-in event has or has not occurred.
PS-17
Note that, in this example, even if a knock-in event has occurred during the term of the securities, the maturity payment amount will be payable in cash in an amount equal to the $1,000.00 principal amount per security, so long as, on the valuation date, the hypothetical final stock price is equal to or greater than the hypothetical initial stock price. Also note that the return on the securities at maturity does not reflect any increase in the market price of the Underlying Stock at maturity when the hypothetical final stock price is higher than the initial stock price.
Hypothetical Returns on the Securities
The following table illustrates the hypothetical maturity payment amount and corresponding hypothetical return at maturity per security (in each case, including interest payments), based on the following:
-
a hypothetical initial stock price of $100.00;
-
a hypothetical knock-in price of $80.00 (20.00% below the hypothetical initial stock price);
-
an interest rate of 8.00% per annum (4.00% for the term of the securities);
-
a 6-month investment term;
-
a range of hypothetical final stock prices and the corresponding hypothetical price return of the Underlying Stock; and
-
the hypothetical maturity payment amount and return on the securities (including interest) for a given hypothetical final stock price, depending upon whether or not a knock-in event has occurred.
The figures below are for purposes of illustration only. The actual maturity payment amount and the resulting return (inclusive of coupons) will depend on the actual final stock price and whether or not a knock-in event occurs, each determined by the calculation agent as described in this product supplement and the applicable pricing supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A knock in event has not occurred
|
A knock-in event has occurred
|
Hypothetical
final stock price
|
Hypothetical
price
return of the
Underlying
Stock
(3
)
|
Hypothetical
maturity payment
amount per security
(including
interest)
|
Hypothetical
return
at maturity of
the securities
(including
interest)(4)
|
Hypothetical
maturity payment
amount per security
(including
interest)
|
Hypothetical
return
at maturity of
the securities
(including
interest)(4)
|
$
|
50.00
|
|
(50.00
|
%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
540.00
|
|
(46.00
|
%)
|
$
|
55.00
|
|
(45.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
590.00
|
|
(41.00
|
%)
|
$
|
60.00
|
|
(40.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
640.00
|
|
(36.00
|
%)
|
$
|
65.00
|
|
(35.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
690.00
|
|
(31.00
|
%)
|
$
|
70.00
|
|
(30.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
740.00
|
|
(26.00
|
%)
|
$
|
75.00
|
|
(25.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
790.00
|
|
(21.00
|
%)
|
$
|
80.00
|
(1)
|
(20.00
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
840.00
|
|
(16.00
|
%)
|
$
|
85.00
|
|
(15.00
|
)
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
890.00
|
|
(11.00
|
%)
|
$
|
90.00
|
|
(10.00
|
)
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
940.00
|
|
(6.00
|
%)
|
$
|
95.00
|
|
(5.00
|
)
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
990.00
|
|
(1.00
|
%)
|
$
|
100.00
|
(2)
|
0.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
105.00
|
|
5.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
110.00
|
|
10.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
115.00
|
|
15.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
120.00
|
|
20.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
125.00
|
|
25.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
130.00
|
|
30.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
135.00
|
|
35.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
140.00
|
|
40.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
145.00
|
|
45.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
150.00
|
|
50.00
|
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
$
|
1,040.00
|
|
4.00
|
%
|
(1)
|
This is also the hypothetical knock-in price.
|
|
(2)
|
This is also the hypothetical initial stock price.
|
|
(3)
|
The hypothetical price returns specified for the Underlying Stock at maturity do not take into account dividends, if any, paid on the Underlying Stock or any transaction fees and expenses that would be incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of the Underlying Stock.
|
|
(4)
|
The hypothetical returns specified for the securities at maturity are simple percentage returns based on the issue price. If the investment term were shorter than six months, the annualized rate of return would be higher, and if the investment term were longer than six months, the annualized rate of return would be lower.
|
PS-18
The following graph sets forth the return at maturity for a range of final stock prices both if a knock-in event has occurred and if a knock-in event has not occurred.
Return Profile of 8.00% Enhanced Yield Securities* vs. Hypothetical Underlying Stock Price
* Assumes an interest rate of 8.00% per annum and 6-month term.
PS-19
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECURITIES
Please note that in this section entitled Description of the Securities, references to holders mean those who own securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose, and not indirect holders who own beneficial interests in securities registered in street name or in securities issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company.
Investors should carefully read the general terms and provisions of our debt securities set forth under the headings Description of the Notes in the accompanying prospectus supplement and Description of Debt Securities in the accompanying prospectus. This section supplements that description. A separate pricing supplement to the product supplement will specify the particular terms for each issuance of securities, and may supplement, modify or replace any of the information in this section. References in this product supplement to a security shall refer to the stated principal amount specified as the denomination for that issuance of securities in the applicable pricing supplement.
The securities are part of a series of debt securities, entitled Medium-Term Notes Series E, that SEK may issue from time to time as described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. The securities are also indexed notes as described in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
We describe the general terms of the securities in more detail below.
Terms Specified in the Applicable Pricing Supplement
For each issuance of securities, the applicable pricing supplement will specify the following terms of the securities, to the extent applicable:
-
the issue price;
-
the stated principal amount per security;
-
the aggregate principal amount;
-
the denomination or minimum denominations;
-
the original issue date;
-
the maturity date and any terms related to any extension of the maturity date not otherwise set forth in this product supplement;
-
the interest rate per year, if any, or the method of calculating that rate;
-
the dates on which the interest will be payable;
-
the Underlying Stock;
-
the Underlying Stock Issuer and, if the issuer is a non-U.S. company, its jurisdiction of organization;
-
the share amount;
-
the initial stock price;
-
the knock-in price;
-
the valuation date;
-
the stock exchange, if any, on which the securities may be listed;
PS-20
-
if any securities are not denominated and payable in U.S. dollars, the currency or currencies in which the principal and interest, if any, will be paid, which we refer to as the
specified currency,
along with any other terms relating to the non-U.S. dollar denomination, including historical exchange rates as against the U.S. dollar;
-
if the securities are in book-entry form, whether the securities will be offered on a global basis to investors through Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg as well as through the Depository; and
-
any other terms on which we will issue the securities.
Payment at Maturity
On the maturity date, for each security you hold, you will receive a payment equal to the maturity payment amount, plus accrued but unpaid interest in cash.
The
maturity payment amount
will be a cash payment equal to the principal amount of your securities,
unless
:
|
(a)
|
a knock-in event has occurred;
and
|
|
|
(b)
|
the final stock price is less than the initial stock price.
|
If the conditions described in (a) and (b) both occur, at maturity, for each security you hold, the maturity payment amount you will receive will be in shares of Underlying Stock in exchange for each security equal to the share amount multiplied by the share multiplier.
The
share amount
is the number of shares of the Underlying Stock equal to the principal amount per security on the trade date. The share amount will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement, and will be determined as follows:
principal amount per security
initial stock price
|
If the number of shares to be delivered per security at maturity results in fractional shares, rather than delivering fractional shares at maturity, such fractional shares will be paid in U.S. dollar amounts equal to the fractional number of shares multiplied by the closing price per share of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date.
If the payment at maturity is payable in shares of the Underlying Stock and we determine that we are prohibited from delivering shares of the Underlying Stock, or that it would otherwise be unduly burdensome to deliver shares of the Underlying Stock, then on the maturity date, we will pay a cash amount per security equal to the closing price of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date multiplied by the number of shares of the Underlying Stock into which each security is redeemable. Any such determination will be made in our sole discretion.
If a knock-in event occurs and the final stock price is less than the initial stock price, you will lose some or all of your principal and receive shares of the Underlying Stock instead of the principal amount in cash at maturity. Under these conditions, the market value on the valuation date of the shares of the Underlying Stock that you will receive on the maturity date will be less than the aggregate principal amount of your securities and could be $0.00 (but you will still receive accrued but unpaid interest in cash).
Additional Defined Terms
We have defined some of the terms that we use frequently in this product supplement below:
The
initial stock price
will be the closing price per share of the Underlying Stock on the trade date and will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
The
final stock price
will be determined by the calculation agent and will equal the closing price per share of the Underlying Stock multiplied by the share multiplier as of the valuation date.
PS-21
The
share multiplier
will be 1.0, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to the Underlying Stock Issuer described in this product supplement under Antidilution Adjustments.
A
knock-in event
will occur if, as determined by the calculation agent, the market price of the Underlying Stock multiplied by the share multiplier has fallen to or below the knock-in price at any time during regular business hours of the relevant exchange on any trading day from the first trading day following the trade date to and including the valuation date.
The
knock-in price
will be a price that is below the initial stock price and will be specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
The
market price
is, on any trading day and at any time during the regular business hours of the relevant exchange, the latest reported sale price of the Underlying Stock (or any other security for which a market price must be determined) on that relevant exchange at that time, as determined by the calculation agent.
The
valuation
date
means the fifth trading day prior to the maturity date. However, if
that date occurs on a day on which the calculation agent has determined that a
market disruption event has occurred or is continuing, then the valuation date
will be the next succeeding trading day on which the calculation agent has
determined that a market disruption event has not occurred or is not continuing.
In no event, however, will the valuation date be later than the eighth business
day after the valuation date as originally scheduled. If the valuation date is
postponed to the last possible day but a market disruption event occurs or is
continuing on that day, that day will nevertheless be the valuation date. If the
calculation agent determines that the final stock price is not available on the
valuation date, as so postponed, either because of a market disruption event or
for any other reason, the calculation agent will nevertheless determine the
final stock price and thus the maturity payment amount, based on its assessment,
made in its sole discretion, of the value of the Underlying Stock on the
valuation date, as so postponed.
If the valuation date is postponed, then the
maturity date of the securities will be postponed by an equal number of trading
days.
The maturity date will always be both a business day and a day on
which banking institutions in Stockholm, Sweden generally are not authorized or
obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close (a
Stockholm
business day
). In the event the maturity date would otherwise be a date that
is not both a business day and a Stockholm business day, the maturity date will
be postponed to the next succeeding date that is both a business day and
Stockholm business day and no additional interest shall accrue or be payable as
a result of such postponement.
A
trading day
means a day, as determined by the calculation agent, on which trading is generally conducted on the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange and the Chicago Board of Options Exchange and in the over-the-counter market for equity securities in the United States.
A
business day
means a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York generally are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to close.
The
relevant exchange
is the primary U.S. securities organized exchange or market of trading for the Underlying Stock. If a reorganization event has occurred, the relevant exchange will be the stock exchange or securities market on which the distribution property (as defined below under Antidilution Adjustments Adjustments for Reorganization Events on page PS-28) that is a listed equity security is principally traded, as determined by the calculation agent.
The
Underlying
Stock
means the common stock (or if applicable, American depositary shares,
or ADSs) of the Underlying Stock Issuer as specified in the applicable pricing
supplement. In the event of the occurrence of certain corporate events in
respect of the Underlying Stock Issuer described in the section entitled
Antidilution Adjustments Adjustments for Reorganization
Events on page PS-28, the securities may become redeemable for shares of
common stock of one or more issuers in addition to, or in lieu of, the
Underlying Stock. If any such event occurs, references to
Underlying Stock
in this product supplement will mean, for purposes of determining the final
stock price or whether a knock-in event has occurred or otherwise as the context
requires, the shares of common stock of such additional issuer or issuers, as
well as the common stock of the original Underlying Stock Issuer if the original
Underlying Stock remains outstanding.
If any payment is due on the securities on a day which is not a day on which commercial banks settle payments in New York City, then that payment may be made on the next day that is a day on which commercial banks settle payments in New York City, in the same amount and with the same effect as if paid on the original due date.
PS-22
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC will serve as the calculation agent. All determinations made by the calculation agent will be at the sole discretion of the calculation agent and, absent a determination of a manifest error, will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on SEK and the holders and beneficial owners of the securities. We may at any time change the calculation agent without notice to holders of securities.
If the maturity payment amount is payable in shares of the Underlying Stock and SEK determines that it is prohibited from delivering shares of the Underlying Stock, or that it would otherwise be unduly burdensome to deliver shares of the Underlying Stock, then on the maturity date, it will pay the maturity payment amount per security in cash in an amount equal to the closing price of the Underlying Stock on the valuation date multiplied by the number of shares of the Underlying Stock that would have otherwise been deliverable. Any such determination will be made in our sole discretion.
Closing Price
The closing price for one share of the Underlying Stock (or one unit of any other security for which a closing price must be determined) on any trading day means:
-
if the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is listed or admitted to trading on a national securities exchange, the last reported sale price, regular way, of the principal trading session on such day on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act, on which the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is listed or admitted to trading, or
-
if the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange but is included in the OTC Bulletin Board Service (the
OTC Bulletin Board
) operated by FINRA, the last reported sale price of the principal trading session on the OTC Bulletin Board on such day.
If the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is listed or admitted to trading on any national securities exchange but the last reported sale price, as applicable, is not available pursuant to the preceding sentence, then the closing price for one share of the Underlying Stock (or one unit of any such other security) on any trading day will mean the last reported sale price of the principal trading session on the over-the-counter market or the OTC Bulletin Board on such day.
If the last reported sale price for the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) is not available pursuant to either of the two preceding sentences, then the closing price for any trading day will be the mean, as determined by the calculation agent, of the bid prices for the Underlying Stock (or any such other security) obtained from as many recognized dealers in such security, but not exceeding three, as will make such bid prices available to the calculation agent. Bids of Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any of its affiliates may be included in the calculation of such mean, but only to the extent that any such bid is the highest of the bids obtained. The term OTC Bulletin Board will include any successor service thereto.
Market Disruption Event
A market disruption event means the occurrence or existence of any of the following events:
-
a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in the Underlying Stock (or, if such stock is an ADS, the shares underlying such ADS) on its primary market for more than two hours of trading or during the one-half hour before the close of trading in that market, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion;
-
a suspension, absence or material limitation of trading in option or futures contracts relating to the Underlying Stock (or, if such stock is an ADS, the shares underlying such ADS), if available, in the primary market for those contracts for more than two hours of trading or during the one-half hour before the close of trading in that market, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion;
-
the Underlying Stock does not trade on the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Global Market or what was the primary market for the Underlying Stock (or, if such stock is an ADS, the shares underlying such ADS), as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion; or
-
any other event, if the calculation agent determines in its sole discretion that the event materially interferes with our ability or the ability of any of our hedge counterparties to unwind all or a material portion of a hedge with respect to the securities that we or our hedge counterparties have effected or may effect as described below under Use of Proceeds and Hedging.
PS-23
The following events will not be market disruption events:
-
a limitation on the hours or number of days of trading in the Underlying Stock (or, if such stock is an ADS, the shares underlying such ADS) on its primary market, but only if the limitation results from an announced change in the regular business hours of the relevant market; and
-
a decision to permanently discontinue trading in the option or futures contracts relating to the Underlying Stock (or, if such stock is an ADS, the shares underlying such ADS).
For this purpose, an absence of trading in the primary securities market on which option or futures contracts relating to the Underlying Stock (or, if such stock is an ADS, the shares underlying such ADS), if available, are traded will not include any time when that market is itself closed for trading under ordinary circumstances. In contrast, a suspension or limitation of trading in option or futures contracts relating to the Underlying Stock (or, if such stock is an ADS, the shares underlying such ADS), if available, in the primary market for those contracts, by reason of any of:
-
a price change exceeding limits set by that market;
-
an imbalance of orders relating to those contracts; or
-
a disparity in bid and asked quotes relating to those contacts
will constitute a suspension or material limitation of trading in option or futures contracts, as the case may be, relating to the Underlying Stock (or, if such stock is an ADS, the shares underlying such ADS) in the primary market for those contracts.
Events of Default and Acceleration
If the maturity of the securities is accelerated upon an event of default under the indenture referenced in the accompanying prospectus, the amount payable upon acceleration will be determined by the calculation agent. Such amount will be the redemption amount calculated as if the date of declaration of acceleration were the valuation date.
Antidilution Adjustments
The share multiplier is subject to adjustment by the calculation agent as a result of the dilution and reorganization adjustments described in this section. The adjustments described below do not cover all events that could affect the market value of your securities. We describe the risks relating to dilution above under Risk Factors You have limited antidilution protection on page PS-12.
How adjustments will be made
If one of the
events described below occurs with respect to the Underlying Stock and the
calculation agent determines that the event has a dilutive or concentrative
effect on the market price of the Underlying Stock, the calculation agent will
calculate a corresponding adjustment to the share multiplier as the calculation
agent deems appropriate to account for that dilutive or concentrative effect.
For example, if an adjustment is required because of a two-for-one stock split,
then the share multiplier will be adjusted by the calculation agent by
multiplying the existing share multiplier by a fraction whose numerator is the
number of shares of the Underlying Stock outstanding immediately after the stock
split and whose denominator is the number of shares of the Underlying Stock
outstanding immediately prior to the stock split. Consequently, the share
multiplier will be adjusted to double the prior share multiplier, due to the
corresponding decrease in the market price of the Underlying Stock.
The calculation agent will also determine the effective date of that adjustment, and the replacement of the Underlying Stock, if applicable, in the event of consolidation or merger or certain other events in respect of the Underlying Stock Issuer. Upon making any such adjustment, the calculation agent will give notice as soon as practicable to the trustee and the issuing and paying agent, stating the adjustment to the share multiplier. The calculation agent will not be required to make any adjustments to the share multiplier after the close of business on the fifth trading day immediately prior to the maturity date. In no event, however, will an antidilution adjustment to the share multiplier during the term of the securities be deemed to change the principal amount per security, which is fixed at one-fortieth of the initial stock price of the Underlying Stock.
PS-24
If more than one event requiring adjustment occurs with respect to the Underlying Stock, the calculation agent will make an adjustment for each event in the order in which the events occur, and on a cumulative basis. Thus, having made an adjustment for the first event, the calculation agent will adjust the share multiplier for the second event, applying the required adjustment to the share multiplier as already adjusted for the first event, and so on for any subsequent events.
For any dilution event described below, other than a consolidation or merger, the calculation agent will not have to adjust the share multiplier unless the adjustment would result in a change to the share multiplier then in effect of at least 0.1%. The share multiplier resulting from any adjustment will be rounded up or down, as appropriate, to the nearest one-hundred thousandth.
If an event
requiring an antidilution adjustment occurs, the calculation agent will make the
adjustment with a view to offsetting, to the extent practical, any change in
your economic position relative to your securities that results solely from that
event. The calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, modify the
antidilution adjustments as necessary to ensure an equitable result, including,
without limitation, the right to make necessary adjustments to account for
differences in exchange rates if the Underlying Stock is an ADS. In addition, if
any event requiring an adjustment to be made would result in a different
adjustment with respect to an ADS than with respect to the corresponding
underlying shares, the calculation agent will make any such adjustments based
solely on the effect of such event on the Underlying Stock (
i.e.
, the
ADS) but may, in its sole discretion, make any further or additional adjustments
to account for any such event which would require a different adjustment with
respect to the corresponding underlying shares. Furthermore, with respect to
Underlying Stock that is an ADS, in the event that the issuer of such ADS or the
depositary for the ADS elects, in the absence of any of the events described
below, to change the number of underlying shares that are represented by the
ADS, the share multiplier on any trading day after the change becomes effective
will be proportionately adjusted by the calculation agent.
The calculation agent will make all determinations with respect to antidilution adjustments, including any determination as to whether an event requiring adjustment has occurred, as to the nature of the adjustment required and how it will be made or as to the value of any property distributed in a reorganization event, and will do so in its sole discretion. In the absence of manifest error, those determinations will be conclusive for all purposes and will be binding on you and us, without any liability on the part of the calculation agent. You will not be entitled to any compensation from us for any loss suffered as a result of any of these determinations by the calculation agent. The calculation agent will provide information about the adjustments that it makes upon your written request.
No adjustments will be made for certain other events, such as offerings of common stock by the Underlying Stock Issuer for cash or in connection with the occurrence of a partial tender or exchange offer for the Underlying Stock by the Underlying Stock Issuer.
The following events are those that may require an antidilution adjustment of the share multiplier:
-
a subdivision, consolidation or reclassification of the Underlying Stock or a distribution or dividend of Underlying Stock to existing holders of the Underlying Stock by way of bonus, capitalization or similar issue;
-
a distribution or dividend to existing holders of the Underlying Stock of:
-
shares of the Underlying Stock,
-
other share capital or securities granting the right to payment of dividends and/or the proceeds of liquidation of the Underlying Stock Issuer equally or proportionately with such payments to holders of the Underlying Stock, or
-
any other type of securities, rights or warrants in any case for payment (in cash or otherwise) at less than the prevailing market price as determined by the calculation agent;
-
the declaration by the Underlying Stock Issuer of an extraordinary or special dividend or other distribution whether in cash or shares of the Underlying Stock or other assets;
-
a repurchase by the Underlying Stock Issuer of its common stock whether out of profits or capital and whether the consideration for such repurchase is cash, securities or otherwise;
-
any other similar event that may have a dilutive or concentrative effect on the market price of the Underlying Stock; and
-
a consolidation of the Underlying Stock Issuer with another company or merger of the Underlying Stock Issuer with another company.
PS-25
Stock Splits and Reverse Stock Splits
A stock split is an increase in the number of a corporations outstanding shares of stock without any change in its stockholders equity. Each outstanding share will be worth less as a result of a stock split.
A reverse stock split is a decrease in the number of a corporations outstanding shares of stock without any change in its stockholders equity. Each outstanding share will be worth more as a result of a reverse stock split.
If the Underlying Stock (or, if such stock is an ADS, the underlying shares) is subject to a stock split or a reverse stock split, then once the split has become effective the calculation agent will adjust the share multiplier to equal the product of the prior share multiplier and the number of shares issued in such stock split or reverse stock split with respect to one share of the Underlying Stock; provided, however, that, with respect to an ADS, if (and to the extent that) the Underlying Stock Issuer or the depositary for such Underlying Stock has adjusted the number of underlying shares represented by each share of Underlying Stock (
i.e.
, the ADS) so that the market price of Underlying Stock would not be affected by such stock split or reverse stock split, no adjustment to the share multiplier will be made.
Stock Dividends
In a stock dividend, a corporation issues additional shares of its stock to all holders of its outstanding stock in proportion to the shares they own. Each outstanding share will be worth less as a result of a stock dividend.
If the Underlying Stock (or, if such stock is an ADS, the underlying shares) is subject (1) to a stock dividend payable in shares of Underlying Stock or, in the case of an ADS, the underlying shares that is given ratably to all holders of the Underlying Stock or (2) to a distribution of the Underlying Stock, or, in the case of an ADS, the underlying shares of the Underlying Stock Issuer, as a result of the triggering of any provision of the corporate charter of the issuer of such component ADS, then once the dividend has become effective the calculation agent will adjust the share multiplier on the ex-dividend date to equal the sum of the prior share multiplier plus the product of:
-
the number of shares issued with respect to one share of the Underlying Stock, and
-
the prior share multiplier;
provided, however, that, in the case of Underlying Stock that is an ADS, if (and to the extent that) the Underlying Stock Issuer or the depositary for the Underlying Stock (
i.e.
, the ADS) has adjusted the number of the underlying shares represented by that ADS so that the price of the Underlying Stock would not be affected by such stock dividend or stock distribution, no adjustment to the share multiplier will be made. The ex-dividend date for any dividend or other distribution is the first day on and after which the Underlying Stock trades without the right to receive that dividend or distribution.
No Adjustments for Other Dividends and Distributions
The share multiplier will not be adjusted to reflect dividends, including cash dividends, or other distributions paid with respect to the Underlying Stock, other than:
-
stock dividends described above,
-
issuances of transferable rights and warrants as described in Transferable Rights and Warrants below,
-
distributions that are spin-off events described in Reorganization Events, and
-
extraordinary dividends described below.
PS-26
An
extraordinary
dividend
means each of (a) the full amount per share of Underlying Stock of
any cash dividend or special dividend or distribution that is identified by the
Underlying Stock Issuer as an extraordinary or special dividend or distribution,
(b) the excess of any cash dividend or other cash distribution (that is not
otherwise identified by the Underlying Stock Issuer as an extraordinary or
special dividend or distribution) distributed per share of Underlying Stock over
the immediately preceding cash dividend or other cash distribution, if any, per
share of Underlying Stock that did not include an extraordinary dividend (as
adjusted for any subsequent corporate event requiring an adjustment as described
in this product supplement, such as a stock split or reverse stock split) if
such excess portion of the dividend or distribution is more than 5% of the
closing price of Underlying Stock on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend
date (that is, the day on and after which transactions in Underlying Stock on an
organized securities exchange or trading system no longer carry the right to
receive that cash dividend or other cash distribution) for the payment of such
cash dividend or other cash distribution (such closing price, the
base
closing price
) and (c) the full cash value of any non-cash dividend or
distribution per share of Underlying Stock (excluding marketable securities, as
defined below).
If the Underlying Stock is subject to an extraordinary dividend, then once the extraordinary dividend has become effective the calculation agent will adjust the share multiplier on the ex-dividend date to equal the product of:
-
the prior share multiplier, and
-
a fraction, the numerator of which is the base closing price of the Underlying Stock on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date and the denominator of which is the amount by which the base closing price of the Underlying Stock on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date exceeds the extraordinary dividend.
Notwithstanding anything herein, the initiation by the Underlying Stock Issuer of an ordinary dividend on the Underlying Stock or any announced increase in the ordinary dividend on the Underlying Stock will not constitute an extraordinary dividend requiring an adjustment. Additionally, for Underlying Stock that is an ADS, cash dividends or other distributions paid on the underlying shares represented by such ADS will not be considered extraordinary dividends unless the net amount of the cash dividends or other distributions, when passed through to the holder of the ADS, would constitute extraordinary dividends as described above.
To the extent an extraordinary dividend is not paid in cash, the value of the non-cash component will be determined by the calculation agent, in its sole discretion. A distribution on the Underlying Stock that is a dividend payable in shares of Underlying Stock, an issuance of rights or warrants or a spin-off event and also an extraordinary dividend will result in an adjustment to the number of shares of Underlying Stock only as described in Stock Dividends above, Transferable Rights and Warrants below or Reorganization Events below, as the case may be, and not as described here.
Transferable Rights and Warrants
If the Underlying Stock Issuer issues transferable rights or warrants to all holders of the Underlying Stock to subscribe for or purchase the Underlying Stock at an exercise price per share that is less than the closing price of the Underlying Stock on the trading day before the ex-dividend date for the issuance, then the share multiplier will be adjusted to equal the product of:
-
the prior share multiplier, and
-
a fraction, (a) the numerator of which will be the number of
shares of the Underlying Stock outstanding at the close of trading on the
trading day before the ex-dividend date (as adjusted for any subsequent event
requiring an adjustment hereunder) plus the number of additional shares of the
Underlying Stock offered for subscription or purchase pursuant to the rights or
warrants and (b) the denominator of which will be the number of shares of the
Underlying Stock outstanding at the close of trading on the trading day before
the ex-dividend date (as adjusted for any subsequent event requiring an
adjustment hereunder) plus the number of additional shares of the Underlying
Stock (referred to herein as the
additional
shares
) that the
aggregate offering price of the total number of shares of the Underlying Stock
so offered for subscription or purchase pursuant to the rights or warrants would
purchase at the closing price on the trading day before the ex-dividend date
for the issuance.
The number of additional shares will be equal to:
-
the product of (a) the total number of additional shares of the Underlying Stock offered for subscription or purchase pursuant to the rights or warrants and (b) the exercise price of the rights or warrants,
divided by
-
the closing price of the Underlying Stock on the trading day before the ex-dividend date for the issuance.
If the number of shares of the Underlying Stock actually delivered in respect of the rights or warrants differs from the number of shares of the Underlying Stock offered in respect of the rights or warrants, then the share multiplier will promptly be readjusted to the share multiplier that would have been in effect had the adjustment been made on the basis of the number of shares of the Underlying Stock actually delivered in respect of the rights or warrants provided, however, that, in the case of Underlying Stock that is an ADS, if (and to the extent that) the Underlying Stock Issuer or the depositary for the Underlying Stock (
i.e.
, the ADS) has adjusted the number of the underlying shares represented by that ADS so that the price of the Underlying Stock would not be affected by such issuance of transferable rights or warrants, no adjustment to the share multiplier will be made.
PS-27
Reorganization Events
Each of the following is a reorganization event:
-
the Underlying Stock is reclassified or changed;
-
the Underlying Stock Issuer has been subject to a merger, consolidation or other combination and either is not the surviving entity or is the surviving entity but all outstanding shares of Underlying Stock are exchanged for or converted into other property;
-
a statutory share exchange involving outstanding shares of Underlying Stock and the securities of another entity occurs, other than as part of an event described above;
-
the Underlying Stock Issuer sells or otherwise transfers its property and assets as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to another entity;
-
the Underlying Stock Issuer effects a spin-off, other than as part of an event described above (in a spin-off, a corporation issues to all holders of its common stock equity securities of another issuer); or
-
the Underlying Stock Issuer is liquidated, dissolved or wound up or is subject to a proceeding under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, or another entity completes a tender or exchange offer, or a going-private transaction is consummated, for all the outstanding shares of Underlying Stock.
To the extent that any such reorganization event occurs with respect to the underlying shares relating to Underlying Stock that is an ADS, the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, make an adjustment to the share multiplier for the Underlying Stock (
i.e.
, the ADS) in a manner similar to that which is described below with a view to offsetting, to the extent practical, any change in your economic position relative to your securities that results solely from that event.
Adjustments for Reorganization Events
If a reorganization event occurs, then the calculation agent will adjust the share multiplier to reflect the amount and type of property or properties whether cash, securities, other property or a combination thereof that a prior holder of the number of shares of the Underlying Stock represented by its investment in the securities would have been entitled to in relation to an amount of shares of the Underlying Stock equal to what a holder of shares of the Underlying Stock would hold after the reorganization event has occurred. We refer to this new property as the
distribution property
.
For the purpose of making an adjustment required by a reorganization event, the calculation agent, in its sole discretion, will determine the value of each type of the distribution property. For any distribution property consisting of a security, the calculation agent will use the closing price of the security on the relevant trading day. The calculation agent may value other types of property in any manner it determines, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate. If a holder of shares of the Underlying Stock may elect to receive different types or combinations of types of distribution property in the reorganization event, the distribution property will consist of the types and amounts of each type distributed to a holder of shares of the Underlying Stock that makes no election, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion.
If any
reorganization event occurs, in each case as a result of which the holders of
the Underlying Stock receive any equity security listed on a national securities
exchange, which we refer to as a
marketable security,
other securities or
other property, assets or cash, which we collectively refer to as
exchange
property,
the amount payable upon exchange at maturity with respect to the
principal amount of each security following the effective date for such
reorganization event (or, if applicable, in the case of spinoff stock, the
ex-dividend date for the distribution of such spinoff stock) and any required
adjustment to the share multiplier will be determined in accordance with the
following and, for purposes of certain calculations and determinations in
respect of the securities, such as the determination of the final stock price
and whether a knock-in event has occurred, the term
Underlying Stock
in
this product supplement will be deemed to mean:
PS-28
|
(a)
|
if the Underlying Stock continues to be outstanding:
|
(1) the Underlying Stock (if applicable, as reclassified upon the issuance of any tracking stock) at the share multiplier in effect on the valuation date (taking into account any adjustments for any distributions described under paragraph (a)(3) below); and
(2) for each marketable security received in such reorganization event, which we refer to as a
new stock,
including the issuance of any tracking stock or spinoff stock or the receipt of any stock received in exchange for the Underlying Stock, the product of (i) the number of shares of the new stock received with respect to one share of the Underlying Stock, (ii) the share multiplier for the Underlying Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the effective date of the reorganization event, and (iii) the gross-up multiplier (as determined under paragraph (a)(3) below), if applicable (such product the
new stock share multiplier
), as adjusted to the valuation date; and
(3) for any cash
and any other property or securities other than marketable securities received
in such reorganization event (including equity securities listed on a non-U.S.
securities exchange), which we refer to as
non-stock exchange property,
a
number of shares of the Underlying Stock, determined by the calculation agent at
the close of trading on the trading day immediately prior to the effective date
of such reorganization event, with an aggregate value equal to the share
multiplier in effect for the Underlying Stock on such trading day multiplied by
a fraction, the numerator of which is the value of the non-stock exchange
property per share of the Underlying Stock on such trading day and the
denominator of which is the amount by which the closing price of the Underlying
Stock exceeds the value of the non-stock exchange property on such trading day
(the result of such fraction the gross-up multiplier); and the
number of such shares of the Underlying Stock determined in accordance with this
clause will be added at the time of such adjustment to the share multiplier
calculated under (1) above,
|
(b)
|
if the Underlying Stock is surrendered for exchange property:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
that includes new stock (as defined above):
|
(i) the number of shares of the new stock received with respect to one share of the Underlying Stock multiplied by the share multiplier for the Underlying Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the effective date of the reorganization event (the
new stock share multiplier
), as adjusted to the valuation date; and
(ii) for any non-stock exchange property (as defined above), a number of shares of the new stock determined by the calculation agent on the trading day immediately prior to the effective date of such reorganization event with an aggregate value equal to (x) the new stock share multiplier as calculated under (i) above (without taking into account the additional shares in this provision) multiplied by (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the value on such trading day of the non-stock exchange property received per share of the Underlying Stock and the denominator of which is the amount by which the closing price of the Underlying Stock exceeds the value on such trading day of the non-stock exchange property received per share of the Underlying Stock, or
|
|
(2)
|
that consists exclusively of non-stock exchange property
|
(i) if the
surviving entity has marketable securities outstanding following the
reorganization event and either (A) such marketable securities were in existence
prior to such reorganization event or (B) such marketable securities were
exchanged for previously outstanding marketable securities of the surviving
entity or its predecessor (
predecessor stock
) in connection with such
reorganization event (in either case of (A) or (B), the
new stock
), a
number of shares of the new stock determined by the calculation agent on the
trading day immediately prior to the effective date of such reorganization event
equal to the share multiplier in effect for the Underlying Stock on the trading
day immediately prior to the effective date of such reorganization event
multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the value of the non-stock
exchange property per share of the Underlying Stock on such trading day and the
denominator of which is the closing price of the new stock (or, in the case of
predecessor stock, the closing price of the predecessor stock multiplied by the
number of shares of the new stock received with respect to one share of the
predecessor stock) or
(ii) if the surviving entity does not have marketable securities outstanding, or if there is no surviving entity (in each case, a
replacement stock event
), the replacement stock (selected as defined below) with a value on the effective date of such reorganization event equal to the value of the non-stock exchange property multiplied by the share multiplier in effect for the Underlying Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the effective date of such reorganization event.
PS-29
If a reorganization event occurs with respect to the shares of the Underlying Stock and the calculation agent adjusts the share multiplier to reflect the distribution property in the event as described above, the calculation agent will make further antidilution adjustments for any later events that affect the distribution property, or any component of the distribution property, comprising the new share multiplier. The calculation agent will do so to the same extent that it would make adjustments if the shares of the Underlying Stock were outstanding and were affected by the same kinds of events. If a subsequent reorganization event affects only a particular component of the number of shares of the Underlying Stock, the required adjustment will be made with respect to that component as if it alone were the number of shares of the Underlying Stock.
For example, if the
Underlying Stock Issuer merges into another company and each share of the
Underlying Stock is converted into the right to receive two common shares of the
surviving company and a specified amount of cash, the shares of the Underlying
Stock will be adjusted to reflect two common shares of the surviving company and
the specified amount of cash. The calculation agent will adjust the share
multiplier to reflect any later stock split or other event, including any later
reorganization event, that affects the common shares of the surviving company,
to the extent described in this section entitled Antidilution
Adjustments, as if the common shares were shares of the Underlying Stock.
In that event, the cash component will not be adjusted but will continue to be a
component of the number of shares of the Underlying Stock (with no interest
adjustment). Consequently, the final stock price will include the final value of
the two shares of the surviving company and the cash.
For purposes of adjustments for reorganization events, in the case of a consummated tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction involving exchange property of a particular type, exchange property will be deemed to include the amount of cash or other property paid by the offeror in the tender or exchange offer with respect to such exchange property (in an amount determined on the basis of the rate of exchange in such tender or exchange offer or going-private transaction). In the event of a tender or exchange offer or a going-private transaction with respect to exchange property in which an offeree may elect to receive cash or other property, exchange property will be deemed to include the kind and amount of cash and other property received by offerees who elect to receive cash.
Replacement Stock Events
Following the occurrence of a replacement stock event described in paragraph (b)(2)(ii) above, the maturity payment amount for each security will be determined by reference to a replacement stock at the basket stock share multiplier then in effect for such replacement stock as determined in accordance with the following paragraph.
The
replacement
stock
will be the stock having the closest option period
volatility to the Underlying Stock among the stocks that then comprise the
applicable replacement stock selection index (or, if publication of such index
is discontinued, any successor or substitute index selected by the calculation
agent in its sole discretion) with the same primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code (
SIC code
) as the Underlying Stock Issuer (or, if no
SIC Code has been assigned to the Underlying Stock Issuer, the applicable SIC
Code pertaining to companies in the same industry as the Underlying Stock Issuer
at the time of the relevant replacement stock event); provided, however, that a
replacement stock will not include any stock that is subject to a trading
restriction under the trading restriction policies of SEK, our hedging
counterparties or any of their affiliates that would materially limit the
ability of SEK, our hedging counterparties or any of their affiliates to hedge
the securities with respect to such stock. In the event that the replacement
stock cannot be identified from the S&P 500 Index by primary SIC code for
which there is no trading restriction, the replacement stock will be selected by
the calculation agent from the stocks within the same Division and Major Group
classification (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget) as the
primary SIC code for the Underlying Stock Issuer. Each replacement stock will be
assigned a replacement stock multiplier equal to the number of shares of such
replacement stock with a closing price on the effective date of such
reorganization event equal to the product of (a) the value of the non-stock
exchange property and (b) the share multiplier in effect for the Underlying
Stock on the trading day immediately prior to the effective date of such
reorganization event.
The
option period volatility
means, in respect of any trading day, the volatility (calculated by referring to the closing price of the Underlying Stock on the relevant exchange) for a period equal to the 125 trading days immediately preceding the announcement date of the reorganization event, as determined by the calculation agent.
The
replacement stock selection index
means the S&P 500 Index, unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
PS-30
Delisting of American Depositary Shares or Termination of American Depositary Receipt Facility
If the Underlying
Stock is an ADS and the Underlying Stock is no longer listed or admitted to
trading on a U.S. securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, or included in the OTC Bulletin Board Service operated
by the NASD, or if the American depositary receipt facility between the
Underlying Stock Issuer and the depositary is terminated for any reason, then,
on and after the date the Underlying Stock is no longer so listed or admitted to
trading on the date of such termination, as applicable (the
change date
),
the Underlying Stock will be deemed to be the shares underlying the Underlying
Stock (the
local shares
). The share multiplier will thereafter equal the
last value of the share multiplier for the Underlying Stock multiplied by the
number of local shares represented by a single share of the Underlying Stock
immediately prior to such termination. On and after the change date, solely for
the purposes of determining whether the closing price of the Underlying Stock is
equal to or less than the knock-in price, the initial stock price will be
converted into the applicable foreign currency using the applicable exchange
rate as described below. The final stock price will be expressed in U.S.
dollars, converting the closing price of the local shares on the valuation date
into U.S. dollars using the applicable exchange rate as described below.
In any such case,
to the extent that the maturity payment amount is otherwise payable in shares of
the Underlying Stock at maturity, we will pay the cash value thereof in U.S.
dollars in lieu of delivering shares of the Underlying Stock. The calculation
agent will determine the applicable exchange rate, which will equal (1) an
average (mean) of the bid quotations in The City of New York received by the
calculation agent at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second
business day preceding the valuation date, from three recognized foreign
exchange dealers (provided that each such dealer commits to execute a contract
at its applicable bid quotation) or, (2) if the calculation agent is unable to
obtain three such bid quotations, the average of such bid quotations obtained
from two recognized foreign exchange dealers or, (3) if the calculation agent is
able to obtain such bid quotation from only one recognized foreign exchange
dealer, such bid quotation, in each case for the purchase of the applicable
foreign currency for U.S. dollars for settlement on the valuation date in the
aggregate amount of the applicable foreign currency payable to holders of the
securities. If the calculation agent is unable to obtain at least one such bid
quotation, the calculation agent will determine the exchange rate in its sole
discretion.
PS-31
CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following is a discussion of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the securities with a maturity of one year or less by a U.S. holder (defined below) who purchases the securities in the initial offering at their original public offering price and holds the securities as capital assets. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), Treasury regulations and proposed Treasury regulations issued under the Code, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rulings and pronouncements and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which may change, possibly with retroactive effect.
This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to U.S. holders in light of their particular circumstances, such as holders to whom special tax treatment applies, including (1) banks, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, insurance companies, dealers in securities or currencies, tax-exempt organizations or partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, (2) persons holding securities as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment, (3) persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or (4) traders in securities that elect to use a mark to market method of accounting for their securities holdings. In addition, this discussion does not address alternative minimum taxes or state, local or foreign taxes.
U.S. holder means a beneficial owner of the securities that is, for United States federal income tax purposes, (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a U.S. domestic corporation or (iii) any other entity or person generally subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis.
This summary also assumes that the Underlying Stock is not stock in a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Prospective investors should note that if that assumption is not accurate, then it is possible that the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the securities would differ significantly from the consequences described below.
No statutory, administrative or judicial authority directly addresses the treatment of holders of the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, no assurance can be given that the IRS or a court will agree with the tax consequences described in this discussion. A differing treatment from that assumed below could adversely affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain or loss in respect of an investment in the securities. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the securities in light of their own particular circumstances, as well as the effect of any state, local or foreign tax laws.
Consequences to U.S. holders
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Issuer intends to treat the securities as a holders grant to the Issuer of a put option on the Underlying Stock in exchange for periodic payments of option premiums. Pursuant to this put option, at maturity a holder will purchase the Underlying Stock (or the cash equivalent) if the final stock price at maturity is less than the initial stock price and a knock-in event has occurred. In addition, the Issuer intends to treat the amounts invested by a holder as an interest bearing cash deposit that at maturity of the securities either will be used to satisfy the holders purchase obligation if the put option is exercised or will be returned to the holder. By purchasing the securities a holder will be deemed to have agreed to the above-described treatment, and the discussion below assumes such treatment except where otherwise stated.
Under the agreed-to
characterization of the securities, each coupon payment on the securities should
be divided into two separate components for U.S. federal income tax purposes: an
interest component and an option premium component. Information regarding the
size of the interest component and option premium component with respect to the
total coupon payment on each security will be provided in the final pricing
supplement for each security. A U.S. Holder will be required to include the
interest component of the coupon payment in gross income as interest at the time
that such interest is accrued or received in accordance with such U.S.
holders method of accounting. The option premium component of the coupon
payment would be treated as described below. Under the rules applicable to debt
with maturity of one year or less, a U.S. holder using the cash method of
accounting may not be able to deduct on a current basis all or a portion of any
interest it paid or accrued on indebtedness incurred to purchase or carry the
securities.
Upon the retirement of the securities for cash, sale or other taxable disposition of the securities, a U.S. holder generally would recognize short-term capital gain or loss equal to (x) cash received upon retirement, sale or other taxable disposition (to the extent such amount is not attributable to accrued but unpaid interest component of the coupon payment, which will be taxed as such), plus (y) the amount of the option premium actually received as part of the coupon payments on the securities, minus(z) such U.S. holders purchase price for the securities.
PS-32
A U.S. holder receiving Underlying Stock upon the retirement of the securities should not expect to recognize any gain or loss on the receipt of the Underlying Stock, and such U.S. Holders tax basis in the Underlying Stock generally will equal such holders purchase price for the securities less the amount of the entire option premium. To the extent a U.S. holder receives any cash in lieu of fractional shares, such holder will generally recognize short-term capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of such cash received and the amount of tax basis allocated to the fractional shares.
Possible Alternative Treatment
.
Due to the absence of authority as to the proper characterization of the securities and the absence of any comparable instruments for which there is a widely accepted tax treatment, no assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or that a court will uphold, the Issuers characterization and tax treatment described above. In particular, it is possible, for example, that the IRS could assert that amounts denominated as option premium should be characterized as interest and includible in the U.S. holders income in the manner described above regarding the interest payments. Under such alternative characterization, the timing and character of income from the securities could differ substantially from that described above.
Regulatory Developments Related to the Taxation of Prepaid Forward Contracts
On December 7,
2007, the IRS and U.S. Treasury Department issued a notice requesting public
comments on a comprehensive set of tax policy issues raised by prepaid forward
contracts, which include financial instruments that may resemble the securities.
This notice contemplates that such instruments may become subject to taxation on
a current accrual basis under one or more possible approaches. The notice also
contemplates that all (or a significant portion) of an investors returns
under such instruments could be taxed at ordinary income rates (as opposed to
capital gain rates). Although it is currently uncertain what future guidance
will result from the notice, the notice leaves open the possibility that such
guidance could have retroactive application. Since a holder will receive coupon
payments on the securities on a current basis and by acquiring the securities a
holder is deemed to have agreed to treat a portion of the monthly coupon
payments as ordinary income for U.S. Federal income tax purposes in accordance
with its regular method of accounting, if any regulations are ultimately adopted
pursuant to the notice with respect to prepaid forward contracts and instruments
that may resemble the securities, it is unclear whether such regulations would
apply to the securities and, if so, whether such regulations would otherwise
alter the tax treatment of the securities (e.g., requiring accrual of the full
amount of the coupon as ordinary income and/or requiring any gain or loss to be
characterized as ordinary rather than capital).
Consequences to non-U.S. holders
The payments received by a non-U.S. holder with respect to the securities should not be subject to U.S. withholding tax, provided that such holder complies with applicable certification requirements. In addition, in the case of a non-U.S. holder, any capital gain realized upon the maturity, sale or other disposition of the securities by such holder will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if (i) such gain is not effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of such holder and (ii) in the case of an individual, such individual is not present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the sale or other disposition or the gain is not attributable to a fixed place of business maintained by such individual in the United States.
Estate Tax
In the case of a holder of the securities that is an individual who will be subject to U.S. federal estate tax only with respect to U.S. situs property (generally an individual who at death is neither a citizen nor a domiciliary of the United States) or an entity the property of which is potentially includable in such an individuals gross estate 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), the holder of the securities should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, the securities may be treated as U.S. situs property for U.S. federal estate tax purposes. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in the securities.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Unless a U.S.
holder is an exempt recipient such as a corporation, payments on the securities
and the proceeds received from the sale of securities would generally be subject
to information reporting and may also be subject to U.S. federal backup
withholding tax if the U.S. holder fails to supply an accurate taxpayer
identification number or otherwise fails to comply with applicable U.S.
information reporting or certification requirements. Non-U.S. holders generally
are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding. However, such a
holder may be required to provide a certification to establish its non-U.S.
status in connection with payments received within the United States or through
certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries. Any amounts withheld under the
backup withholding rules will be allowed as a credit against a U.S.
holders U.S. federal income tax liability if the holder provides the
required information to the IRS.
PS-33
SELLING RESTRICTIONS
No action has been or will be taken by SEK or the agent that would permit a public offering of the securities or possession or distribution of this product supplement or the related prospectus supplement and prospectus in any jurisdiction, other than the United States, where action for that purpose is required. No offers, sales or deliveries of the securities, or distribution of this product supplement or the related prospectus supplement or prospectus, may be made in or from any jurisdiction except in circumstances which will result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations and will not impose any obligations on SEK or the agent.
For the following jurisdictions please note specifically:
Argentina
The SEK U.S. Medium-Term Notes program and the related offer to purchase securities and the sale of securities under the terms and conditions provided hereto, does not constitute a public offering in Argentina. Consequently no public offering approval has been requested or granted by the Comisión Nacional de Valores, nor any listing authorization of the securities has been requested on any stock market in Argentina.
Brazil
The securities may not be offered or sold to the public in Brazil. Accordingly, the product supplement has not been submitted to the
Comissão de Valores Mobiliáros
for approval. Documents relating to this offering may not be supplied to the public as a public offering in Brazil or be used in connection with any offer for subscription or sale to the public in Brazil.
Chile
The securities have not been registered with the
Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros
in Chile and may not be offered or sold publicly in Chile. No offer, sales or deliveries of the securities, or distribution of this product supplement or the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, may be made in or from Chile except in circumstances that will result in compliance with any applicable Chilean laws and regulations.
Mexico
The securities have not been registered with the National Registry of Securities maintained by the Mexican National Banking and Securities Commission and may not be offered or sold publicly in Mexico. This product supplement and the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus may not be publicly distributed in Mexico.
Paraguay
This is a private and personal offering. The securities offered have not been approved by or registered with the National Securities Commission (
Comisión Nacional de Valores
) and are not part of a public offering as defined by the Paraguayan Securities Law. The information contained herein is for informational and marketing purposes only and should not be taken as an investment advice.
PS-34
USE OF PROCEEDS AND HEDGING
The net proceeds from the sale of any securities offered hereunder will be used as described under Use of Proceeds in the accompanying prospectus and to hedge market risks of SEK associated with its obligation to pay the applicable maturity payment amount at the maturity of the applicable securities. The initial public offering price of the securities includes the underwriting discount and commission and the structuring and development costs indicated in the applicable pricing supplement and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the securities.
We have hedged our obligations under the securities through an affiliate of the agent. Our cost of hedging will include the projected profit that such counterparty expects to realize in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities. Because hedging our obligations entails risk and may be influenced by market forces beyond our or our counterpartys control, such hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or could result in a loss.
We have no obligation to engage in any manner of hedging activity and will do so solely at our discretion and for our own account. No holder of the securities will have any rights or interest in our hedging activity or any positions we or any unaffiliated counterparty may take in connection with our hedging activity.
The hedging activity discussed above may adversely affect the market value of the applicable securities from time to time and the maturity payment amount you will receive on the applicable securities at maturity. See Risk Factors Hedging transactions may affect the return on the securities Risk Factors The inclusion of the underwriting discount and commission and the structuring and development costs in the initial public offering price of the securities and certain hedging costs are likely to adversely affect secondary market prices for the securities and Risk Factors Potential conflicts of interest could arise for a discussion of these adverse effects.
PS-35
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We expect to enter into a terms agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (the
agent
), with respect to each issuance of the securities. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and any other agent named in the applicable pricing supplement, will agree, subject to the terms and conditions of a terms agreement with SEK, to purchase a number of securities set forth in the applicable pricing supplement. The agent is committed to purchase all of those securities if any are purchased.
We expect that the agent will propose to offer the securities in part directly to the public at the initial maximum offering price set forth on the cover page of the applicable pricing supplement and in part to Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Wells Fargo Financial Network, LLC and/or certain other securities dealers at such price less a concession not to exceed the amount specified in the applicable pricing supplement. After the initial public offering of the securities is completed, the public offering price and concessions may be changed by the agent. The maximum discount or commission that may be received by any member of FINRA for sales of securities pursuant to the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus will not exceed 8.00% of the initial public offering price of the securities.
The underwriting discount and commission and structuring and development costs for an issuance of securities will be set forth in the applicable final pricing supplement when the final terms of the applicable securities are determined.
The initial public offering price of the securities will include the underwriting discount and commission and the structuring and development costs set forth in the applicable pricing supplement and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the securities. We expect to hedge our obligations under the securities through an affiliate of the agent. Our cost of hedging will include the projected profit that such counterparty expects to realize in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities. Because hedging our obligations entails risks and may be influenced by market forces beyond our or our counterpartys control, such hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or could result in a loss.
Each issuance of securities will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We expect to be advised by the agent that the agent intends to make a market in the applicable securities but will not be not obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for the securities.
We will deliver the securities against payment therefor in New York, New York on the original issue date, a date that will be in excess of three business days following the trade date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade securities more than three business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
Settlement for each issuance of the securities will be made in immediately available funds. The securities will be in the Same Day Funds Settlement System at DTC and, to the extent the secondary market trading in the securities is effected through the facilities of such depositary, such trades will be settled in immediately available funds.
SEK will agree to indemnify the agent against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
This product supplement and the attached prospectus and prospectus supplement may be used by the agent or its affiliates in connection with offers and sales related to market-making or other transactions in the securities. The agent and its affiliates may act as principal or agent in such transactions. Such sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market prices at the time of sale or otherwise.
From time to time the agent engages in transactions with SEK in the ordinary course of business. The agent has performed investment banking services for SEK in the last two years and has received fees for these services.
PS-36
In connection with
any issuance of securities under this product supplement, the agent, may engage
in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and
penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size,
which creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids
to purchase the applicable securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not
exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of
the securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in
order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit reclaiming a
selling concession from a syndicate member when the securities originally sold
by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to
cover syndicate short positions. Such stabilizing transactions, syndicate
covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the applicable
securities to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of such
transactions.
No action has been or will be taken by SEK, the agents or any broker-dealer affiliate of either SEK or the agents that would permit a public offering of the securities or possession or distribution of this product supplement or the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement in any jurisdiction, other than the United States, where action for that purpose is required. No offers, sales or deliveries of the securities, or distribution of this product supplement or the accompanying prospectus and prospectus supplement, may be made in or from any jurisdiction except in circumstances which will result in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations and will not impose any obligations on SEK or any broker-dealer affiliate of SEK or the agents.
PS-37
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To
Prospectus dated December 15, 2008)
AKTIEBOLAGET SVENSK EXPORTKREDIT (PUBL)
(Swedish Export Credit Corporation)
(incorporated in Sweden
with limited liability)
Medium-Term Notes, Series E
Due
Nine Months or More from Date of Issue
We may offer an unlimited principal amount of
notes. The following terms may apply to the notes, which we may sell from
time to time. We may vary these terms and will provide the final terms for
each offering of notes in a pricing supplement. If the information in a
pricing supplement differs from the information contained in this prospectus
supplement or the prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in
the pricing supplement.
·
The notes may bear interest at fixed or floating interest rates.
Floating interest rate formulae may be based on:
·
LIBOR;
·
Commercial Paper Rate;
·
the Treasury Rate;
·
the CD Rate;
·
the Federal Funds Rate; or
·
any other rate specified in the relevant pricing supplement
·
We may sell the notes as indexed notes or discount notes.
·
The notes may be subject to redemption at our option or repurchase at our
option.
·
The notes will be in registered form and may be in book-entry or
certificated form.
·
The notes will be denominated in U.S. dollars or other currencies.
·
U.S. dollar-denominated notes will be issued in denominations of
U.S.$1,000 and integral multiples of U.S.$1,000.
·
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange, unless otherwise
indicated in the applicable pricing supplement.
·
We will make interest payments on the notes without deducting withholding
or similar taxes imposed by Sweden.
See
Risks Associated With Foreign Currency Notes and Indexed Notes beginning on
page S-4 to read about certain risks associated with foreign currency notes
and indexed notes which you should consider before investing in such
notes.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory
body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus supplement or the related prospectus is truthful or complete.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Banc of America Securities LLC
|
|
Barclays Capital
|
|
Citi
|
Deutsche Bank Securities
|
|
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
|
|
InCapital
|
J.P. Morgan
|
|
Merrill Lynch & Co.
|
|
Morgan Stanley
|
|
|
Wachovia Securities
|
|
|
This prospectus supplement
is dated December 15, 2008.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This prospectus supplement supplements the
accompanying prospectus dated December 15, 2008 relating to our debt
securities. If the information in this prospectus supplement differs from
the information contained in the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the
information in this prospectus supplement.
You should read this prospectus supplement along
with the accompanying prospectus (and any relevant pricing supplement).
Each document contains information you should consider when making your
investment decision. You should rely only on the information provided or
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying
prospectus (or such pricing supplement). We have not authorized anyone
else to provide you with different information. We and the agents are
offering to sell the notes and seeking offers to buy the notes only in
jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in
this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is current only as of
the date hereof.
This document is only being distributed to and is
only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or
(ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the
Order) or (iii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may
lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to
(d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as relevant
persons). Any notes will only be available to, and any invitation, offer
or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such notes will be
engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant
person should not act or rely on this document or any of its
contents.
This document has been prepared on the basis that,
except to the extent sub-paragraph (ii) below may apply, any offer of notes
in any member state of the European Economic Area which has implemented the
Prospectus Directive (2003/71/EC) (each, a Relevant Member State) will be made
pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive, as implemented in that
Relevant Member State, from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers
of notes. Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in
that Relevant Member State of notes which are the subject of an offering
contemplated in this prospectus supplement as completed by final terms in
relation to the offer of those notes may only do so (i) in circumstances in
which no obligation arises for SEK or any agent to publish a prospectus pursuant
to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus
pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive, in each case, in
relation to such offer, or (ii) if a prospectus for such offer has been
approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where
appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the
competent authority in that Relevant Member State and (in either case)
published, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive, provided that any
such prospectus has subsequently been completed by final terms which specify
that offers may be made other than pursuant to Article 3(2) of the
Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State and such offer is made in the
period beginning and ending on the dates specified for such purpose in such
prospectus or final terms, as applicable. Except to the extent
sub-paragraph (ii) above may apply, neither SEK nor any agent have
authorized, nor do they authorize, the making of any offer of notes in
circumstances in which an obligation arises for SEK or any agent to publish or
supplement a prospectus for such offer.
THE NOTES OFFERED HEREBY MAY BE OFFERED FROM
TIME TO TIME IN THE EUROPEAN UNION PURSUANT TO A BASE PROSPECTUS DIFFERENT FROM,
BUT NOT INCONSISTENT WITH, THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE PROSPECTUS TO
WHICH IT REFERS.
S-1
SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
This
summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement
and in the prospectus. It does not contain all the information that you
should consider before investing in the notes. You should carefully read
the pricing supplement relating to the terms and conditions of a particular
issue of notes along with this entire prospectus supplement and the
prospectus.
Swedish
Export Credit Corporation
We, Swedish Export Credit Corporation (or SEK),
are a public stock corporation wholly owned by the Kingdom of Sweden through the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Our principal executive office is located at
Västra Trädgårdsgatan 11B, 10327 Stockholm, Sweden; and our telephone number is
+46-8-613-8300.
The
Notes
Issuer:
|
|
Swedish Export Credit
Corporation
|
|
|
|
Agents:
|
|
Banc of America Securities
LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barclays Capital Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Citigroup Global Markets
Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deutsche Bank Securities
Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goldman, Sachs &
Co.
|
|
|
|
|
|
InCapital LLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
|
|
|
|
|
|
Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated
|
|
|
|
|
|
Wachovia Capital Markets,
LLC
|
|
|
|
Trustee:
|
|
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company,
N.A.
|
|
|
|
Paying Agent:
|
|
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company,
N.A., unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing
supplement.
|
|
|
|
Amount:
|
|
We may offer an unlimited amount of
notes.
|
|
|
|
Issue Price:
|
|
We may issue the notes at par, or at a
premium over, or discount to, par and either on a fully paid or partly
paid basis.
|
|
|
|
Maturities:
|
|
The notes will mature at least nine months
from their date of issue.
|
|
|
|
Fixed Rate Notes:
|
|
Fixed rate notes will bear interest at a
fixed rate.
|
|
|
|
Floating Rate Notes:
|
|
Floating rate notes will bear interest at a
rate determined periodically by reference to one or more interest rate
bases plus a spread or multiplied by a spread multiplier.
|
|
|
|
Indexed Notes:
|
|
Payments of principal and/or interest on
indexed notes will be calculated by reference to a specific measure or
index.
|
|
|
|
Discount Notes:
|
|
Discount notes are notes that are offered or
sold at a price less than their principal amount and called discount notes
in the applicable pricing supplement. They may or may not bear
interest.
|
S-2
Redemption and Repayment:
|
|
If the notes are redeemable at our option
(other than on the occurrence of the tax events described under
Description of Debt SecuritiesOptional Redemption Due to Changes in
Swedish Tax Treatment in the accompanying prospectus) or repayable at the
option of the holder before maturity, the pricing supplement will
specify:
|
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
the initial redemption date on or after
which we may redeem the notes or the repayment date or dates on which the
holders may elect repayment of the notes;
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
the redemption or repayment price or how
this will be calculated; and
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
the required prior notice to the holders or
to us.
|
|
|
|
|
Status:
|
|
The notes will constitute our direct,
unconditional and unsecured indebtedness and will rank equally in right of
payment with all our unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The notes
will not be obligations of the Kingdom of Sweden.
|
|
|
|
Taxes:
|
|
Subject to certain exceptions, we will make
all payments on the notes without withholding or deducting any taxes
imposed by Sweden. For further information, see Description of the
NotesAdditional Amounts.
|
|
|
|
Further Issues:
|
|
We may from time to time, without the
consent of existing holders, create and issue notes having the same terms
and conditions as any other outstanding notes offered pursuant to a
pricing supplement in all respects, except for the issue date and, if
applicable, the issue price and the first payment of interest thereon.
Additional notes issued in this manner will be consolidated with, and will
form a single series with, any such other outstanding
notes.
|
|
|
|
Listing:
|
|
We have not applied to list the notes on any
securities exchange. However, we may apply to list any particular issue of
notes on a securities exchange, as provided in the applicable pricing
supplement. We are under no obligation to list any issued notes and may in
fact not list any.
|
|
|
|
Stabilization:
|
|
In connection with issues of notes, a
stabilizing manager or any person acting for the stabilizing manager may
over-allot or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market
price of the notes at a level higher than that which might otherwise
prevail for a limited period after the issue date. However, there may be
no obligation of the stabilizing manager or any agent of the stabilizing
manager to do this. Any such stabilizing, if commenced, may be
discontinued at any time, and must be brought to an end after a limited
period. Such stabilizing shall be conducted in compliance with all
applicable laws, regulations and rules.
|
|
|
|
Governing Law:
|
|
The notes will be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, New York law, except that matters relating to the
authorization and execution of the notes by us will be governed by the law
of Sweden. Furthermore, if the notes are at any time secured by property
or assets in Sweden, matters relating to the enforcement of such security
will be governed by the law of Sweden.
|
|
|
|
Purchase Currency:
|
|
You must pay for notes by wire transfer in
the specified currency. You may ask an agent to arrange for, at its
discretion, the conversion of U.S. dollars or another currency into the
specified currency to enable you to pay for the notes. You must make this
request on or before the fifth business day preceding the issue date, or
by a later date if the agent allows. The agent will set the terms for each
conversion and you will be responsible for all currency exchange
costs.
|
|
|
|
Certain Risk Factors:
|
|
For information about risks associated with
foreign currency notes and indexed notes, see Risks Associated with
Foreign Currency Notes and Indexed Notes beginning on
page S-4.
|
S-3
RISKS
ASSOCIATED WITH FOREIGN CURRENCY NOTES AND INDEXED NOTES
An investment in a foreign currency note or an
indexed note entails significant risks that are not associated with an
investment in a non-indexed note denominated in U.S. dollars. This section
describes certain risks associated with investing in such notes. An
applicable pricing supplement may describe additional risks. You should
consult your financial and legal advisors about the risks of investing in the
notes and the suitability of your investment in light of your particular
situation. We disclaim any responsibility for advising you on these
matters.
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates and the imposition of exchange
controls could cause the U.S. dollar equivalent of any interest payments and/or
principal payable at maturity of a foreign currency note or a currency-indexed
note to be lower than the U.S. dollar equivalent amount you paid to purchase the
note.
In general, the currency markets are extremely
volatile. Significant changes in the rate of exchange between the U.S.
dollar and the specified currency for a foreign currency note (or, in the case
of a currency-indexed note, the rate of exchange between the specified currency
and the indexed currency or currencies or between two or more indexed currencies
for such note) during the term of any foreign currency note (or currency-indexed
note) may significantly reduce the U.S. dollar equivalent value of any interest
payable in respect of such note and, consequently, the U.S. dollar equivalent
rate of return on the U.S. dollar equivalent amount paid to purchase such
note. Moreover, if at maturity the specified currency for such note has
depreciated against the U.S. dollar (or, in the case of a currency-indexed note,
if significant changes have occurred in the rate of exchange between the
specified currency and the indexed currency or currencies or between two or more
indexed currencies for such note), the U.S. dollar equivalent value of the
principal amount payable in respect of such note may be significantly less than
the U.S. dollar equivalent amount paid to purchase such note.
In certain circumstances such changes could result
in a net loss to you on a U.S. dollar basis. If any currency-indexed note
is indexed to an indexed currency on a greater than one to one basis, the note
will be leveraged and the percentage of the potential loss (or gain) to the
investor as a result of the changes in exchange rates between currencies
discussed above may be greater than the actual percentage of the change in the
rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and the currency or currencies in which
the note is denominated or to which it is indexed.
Currency exchange rates are determined by, among
other factors:
·
changing supply and demand for a particular currency;
·
trade, fiscal, monetary, foreign investment and exchange control programs
and policies of governments;
·
U.S. and foreign political and economic events and policies;
·
restrictions on U.S. and foreign exchanges or markets;
·
changes in balances of payments and trade;
·
U.S. and foreign rates of inflation;
·
U.S. and foreign interest rates; and
·
currency devaluations and revaluations.
In addition, governments and central banks from
time to time intervene, directly and by regulation, in the currency markets to
influence prices and may, from time to time, impose or modify foreign exchange
controls for a specified currency or indexed currency. Changes in exchange
controls could affect exchange rates for a particular currency as well as the
availability of a specified currency for making payments in respect of notes
denominated in that currency.
We have no control over the factors that affect
rates of exchange between currencies. In recent years, rates of exchange
have been highly volatile and such volatility may be expected to continue in the
future. Fluctuations in any particular exchange rate that have occurred in
the past, however, are not necessarily indicative of fluctuations in the rate
that may occur during the term of any note.
The information set forth above is directed to
prospective purchasers of foreign currency notes and currency-indexed notes that
are residents of the United States. If you are a resident of a country
other than the United States, you should consult your own financial and legal
advisors with respect to any matters that may affect your purchase or holding
of, or receipt of payments of any principal, premium or interest in respect of,
foreign currency notes or currency-indexed notes.
THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING
PROSPECTUS DO NOT DESCRIBE ALL THE RISKS OF AN INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN CURRENCY
NOTES OR CURRENCY INDEXED NOTES. AS A RESULT, YOU SHOULD, IN EVERY CASE,
CONSULT YOUR OWN FINANCIAL AND LEGAL ADVISORS AS TO THE RISKS, IN LIGHT OF YOUR
PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, POSED BY AN INVESTMENT IN SUCH NOTES. SUCH NOTES
ARE NOT AN APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT FOR PERSONS WHO ARE UNSOPHISTICATED WITH
RESPECT TO FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS.
The pricing supplement relating to any foreign
currency notes or currency-indexed notes will contain information concerning
historical exchange rates for the relevant specified or indexed currency or
currencies against the U.S. dollar and a brief description of such currency or
currencies and any exchange controls then in effect with respect to such
currency or currencies.
S-4
If we
are unable to make payments in the specified currency of a foreign currency
note, you may experience losses due to exchange rate
fluctuations.
Exchange controls may restrict or prohibit us from
making payments of any principal, premium or interest in respect of any note in
any currency or composite currency. Even if there are no actual exchange
controls, it is possible that, on a payment date with respect to any particular
note, the currency in which amounts then due in respect of such note are payable
would not be available to us. In that event, we would make such payments
in the manner set forth under Description of the NotesPayment of Principal and
Interest.
If we are required to make payment in respect of a
note in a specified currency other than U.S. dollars and such currency is
unavailable due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances
beyond our control or is no longer used by the government of the country issuing
such currency or for the settlement of transactions by public institutions of or
within the international banking community, then we will make all payments in
respect of such note in U.S. dollars until such currency is again available or
so used. Any amounts payable in such currency on any date will be
converted by the exchange rate agent (which may be us, the trustee or a bank or
financial institution we select) into U.S. dollars on the basis of the most
recently available market exchange rate for such currency or as otherwise
indicated in the applicable pricing supplement. Any payment made under
such circumstances in U.S. dollars will not constitute an event of default under
the indenture.
You may not be able to secure a foreign-currency judgment in the
United States.
The notes generally will be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the law of New York. See Description of
Debt SecuritiesGoverning Law in the accompanying prospectus. Courts in
the United States customarily have not rendered judgments for money damages
denominated in any currency other than the U.S. dollar. The Judiciary Law
of New York provides, however, that an action based upon an obligation
denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be rendered in the
foreign currency of the underlying obligation and converted into U.S. dollars at
the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of the entry of the judgment or
decree.
An
investment in indexed notes entails significant risks not associated with a
similar investment in fixed or floating rate debt securities.
An investment in notes that are indexed, as to
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest, to one or more underlying assets or
measures, including currencies or composite currencies, exchange rates, swap
indices between currencies or composite currencies, commodities, commodity
indices or baskets, securities or securities baskets or indices, interest rates
or other indices or measures, either directly or inversely, entails significant
risks that are not associated with investments in a conventional fixed rate or
floating rate debt security.
These risks include the possibility that the value
of the underlying, asset, measure, index or indices may be subject to
significant changes, that the resulting interest rate will be less than that
payable on a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security issued by us at
the same time, that the repayment of principal and/or premium, if any, can occur
at times other than those expected by the investor, and that you, as the
investor, could lose all or a substantial portion of principal and/or premium,
if any, payable on the maturity date. These risks depend on a number of
inter-related factors, including economic, financial and political events, over
which we have no control.
Additionally, if the formula used to determine the
amount of principal, premium, if any, and/or interest payable with respect to
such notes contains a multiplier or leverage factor, the effect of any change in
the applicable index or indices will be magnified. In recent years, values
of many underlying measures and indices have been highly volatile, and such
volatility may continue or intensify.
Any optional redemption feature of any notes might
affect their market value. Since we may be expected to redeem notes when
prevailing interest rates are relatively low, an investor generally will not be
able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an
effective interest rate that is as high as the then-current interest rate on the
notes.
The secondary market, if any, for indexed notes
will be affected by a number of factors independent of our creditworthiness and
the value of the applicable underlying asset, measure, index or indices,
including the complexity and volatility thereof, the method of calculating the
principal, premium, if any, and/or interest in respect of indexed notes, the
time remaining to the maturity of such notes, the outstanding amount of such
notes, any redemption features of such notes, the amount of other debt
securities linked to such underlying asset, measure, index or indices and the
level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally. Such
factors also will affect the market value of indexed notes.
In addition, certain notes may be designed for
specific investment objectives or strategies and, therefore, may have a more
limited secondary market and experience more price volatility than conventional
debt securities. Investors may not be able to sell such notes readily or
at prices that will enable them to realize their anticipated yield. You
should not purchase such notes unless you understand and are able to bear the
risks that such notes may not be readily saleable, that the value of such notes
will fluctuate over time and that such fluctuations may be
significant.
Finally, our credit ratings may not reflect the
potential impact of the various risks that could affect the market value of the
notes. Accordingly, prospective investors should consult their own
financial and legal advisors as to the risks an investment in the notes may
entail and the suitability of the notes in light of their particular
circumstances.
The pricing supplement relating to any note
indexed to a currency, currencies, a commodity, a commodity index, a stock, a
stock index or any similar such measure or index will contain information
concerning the historical prices or values of such underlying measure or
index.
S-5
CURRENCY EXCHANGE INFORMATION
If you purchase any notes, you must pay for them
by wire transfer in the currency we specify. If you are a prospective
purchaser of foreign currency notes (that is, notes for which the currency we
specify is other than U.S. dollars), you may ask the agent to arrange for, at
its discretion, the conversion of U.S. dollars or another currency into the
specified currency to enable you to pay for such foreign currency notes.
You must make this request on or before the fifth business day preceding the
issue date for such notes, or by a later date if the agent allows. The
agent will perform each conversion on such terms and subject to such conditions,
limitations and charges as such agent may from time to time establish in
accordance with its regular foreign exchange practices. You will be
responsible for any resulting currency exchange costs.
S-6
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
The
following description supplements the information contained in Description of
Debt Securities in the prospectus. If the information in this prospectus
supplement differs from the prospectus, you should rely on the information in
this prospectus supplement. Because the information provided in a pricing
supplement may differ from that contained in this prospectus supplement, you
should rely on the pricing supplement for the final description of a particular
issue of notes. The following description will apply to a particular issue
of notes only to the extent that it is not inconsistent with the description
provided in the applicable pricing supplement.
We
will issue the notes under an indenture, dated as of August 15, 1991, as
supplemented by a first supplemental indenture dated as of June 2, 2004, a
second supplemental indenture dated as of January 30, 2006 and a third
supplemental indenture dated as of October 23, 2008 (together with the
first supplemental indenture and the second supplemental indenture, the
supplemental indentures), each between us and The Bank of New York Mellon
Trust Company, N.A. (directly or as the successor in interest to another party),
which serves as the trustee thereunder. Except where otherwise indicated
or clear from the context, all references to the indenture are to the
indenture as supplemented by the supplemental indentures and as further
supplemented. The information contained in this section and in the
prospectus summarizes some of the terms of the notes and the indenture.
This summary does not contain all of the information that may be important to
you as a potential investor in the notes. You should read the indenture,
each of the supplemental indentures and the forms of the notes before making any
investment decision. We have filed or will file copies of these documents
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and we have filed or will
file copies of these documents at the offices of the trustee and the other
paying agents, if any.
General
Terms of the Notes
The following are summaries of the material
provisions of the indenture and the notes.
·
The notes will constitute a single series of debt securities with an
unlimited aggregate principal amount we will issue pursuant to the
indenture. We have more fully described the indenture in the accompanying
prospectus.
·
We are offering the notes on a continuous basis through the agents
identified on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.
·
The notes will mature at least nine months from their issue dates.
·
The notes may be subject to redemption prior to their maturity dates, as
described under Redemption and Repurchase.
·
The notes will constitute our direct, unconditional and unsecured
indebtedness and will rank equally in right of payment with all our unsecured
and unsubordinated indebtedness. The notes will not be obligations of the
Kingdom of Sweden.
·
We will issue the notes in fully registered form only, without
coupons.
·
Unless otherwise specified, we will issue the notes in authorized
denominations of U.S.$1,000 and integral multiples thereof (in the case of
notes denominated in U.S. dollars). We will set forth the authorized
denominations of foreign currency notes in the applicable pricing
supplements;
·
We expect to issue the notes initially in book-entry form, represented by
a single global master note. Thereafter, the notes may be issued either in
book entry form (represented by such master global note or one or more other
global notes) or in certificated form. Except as we describe in the
accompanying prospectus under the heading Description of Debt
SecuritiesGlobal Securities, we will not issue book-entry notes in exchange
for certificated notes. See Form of the NotesBook-Entry Notes
below. You may present certificated notes for registration of transfer or
exchange at the office of the trustee (currently located at 101 Barclay Street
(Attn: Trust Services Window), New York New York 10286), or at such other office
or agency of the trustee as we may designate for such purpose in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York.
The
pricing supplement relating to a note will describe the following
terms:
·
the principal or face amount of such note;
·
the currency we have specified for the note (and, if such specified
currency is other than U.S. dollars, certain other terms relating to the note
and the specified currency, including the authorized denominations of the
note);
·
the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal or face
amount thereof) at which we will issue the note;
·
the date on which we will issue the note;
·
the maturity date for the note;
·
if the note is a fixed rate note, the rate per annum at which the note
will bear interest;
·
if the note is a floating rate note, the initial interest rate, the
formula or formulae by which interest on the note will be calculated thereafter,
the dates on which we will pay interest and any other terms relating to the
particular method and times for calculating the interest rate for such note;
·
if the note is an indexed note, a description of the applicable index and
the manner of determining the indexed principal amount and/or the indexed
interest amount thereof (all as defined in the accompanying prospectus),
together with other material information relevant to holders of such note;
S-7
·
if the note is a discount note, the total amount of original issue
discount, the amount of original issue discount allocable to the initial accrual
period and the yield to maturity of such note;
·
whether such note may be redeemed prior to its maturity date (other than
as a result of a change in Swedish taxation as described under Redemption and
Repurchase) and, if so, the provisions relating to redemption, including, in
the case of a discount note or an indexed note, the information necessary to
determine the amount due upon redemption;
·
whether the note will be issued initially as a book-entry note or a
certificated note; and
·
any other material terms of the note.
Business Days
In this prospectus supplement, the term business
day with respect to any note means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday,
that is a day on which:
(1)
commercial banks are generally open for business in The City of New York;
and
(2)
(a) if such note is a foreign currency note and the specified
currency in which such note is denominated is the euro, the Trans-European
Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) System or any
successor system is open for business; and (b) if such note is a foreign
currency note and the specified currency in which the note is denominated is
other than the euro, commercial banks are generally open for business in the
financial center of the country issuing such currency; and
(3)
if the note is an indexed note, commercial banks are generally open for
business in such other place or places as may be set forth in the applicable
pricing supplement; and
(4)
if the interest rate formula for the note is LIBOR, a London banking
day. The term London banking day with respect to any note means any day
on which dealings in deposits in the specified currency for such note are
transacted in the London interbank market.
Discount Notes
Any of the notes we issue may be discount
notes. A discount note is:
(1)
a note, including any note having an interest rate of zero, that has a
stated redemption price at maturity that exceeds its issue price by at least
0.25% of its principal or face amount, multiplied by the number of full years
from the issue date to the maturity date for such note; and
(2)
any other note that we designate as issued with original issue discount
for United States federal income tax purposes.
Form of the Notes
The
Depository Trust Company, or DTC, is under no obligation to perform or continue
to perform the procedures described below, and it may modify or discontinue them
at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will be responsible for DTCs
performance of its obligations under its rules and procedures.
Additionally, neither we nor the trustee will be responsible for the performance
by direct or indirect participants of their obligations under their
rules and procedures.
We expect to issue the notes initially in the form
of a single master global note in fully registered form, without coupons.
A master global note will initially be registered in the name of a nominee
(Cede & Co.) of DTC, as depositary. Notes need not be represented
by such master global note, and may instead be represented by separate global
notes. Except as set forth in the accompanying prospectus under
Book-Entry Procedures and Settlement, the notes will not be issuable as
certificated notes. For more information, see Book-Entry Notes
below.
Registered Notes
. Registered notes are payable to the
order of and registered in the name of a particular person or entity. In
the case of book-entry registered notes, the global security is registered in
the name of a nominee of the applicable clearing system, and this nominee is
considered the sole legal owner or holder of the notes for purposes of the
indenture. Beneficial interests in a registered note and transfers of
those interests are recorded by the security registrar.
Book-Entry Notes
. All Book-Entry notes with the same
issue date and terms will be represented by one or more global securities (which
may be the master global note) deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, and
registered in the name of DTC or its nominee (Cede & Co.) (unless the
applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise). Unless otherwise
provided, DTC will act as a depositary for, and hold the global securities on
behalf of, certain financial institutions, called participants. These
participants, or other financial institutions acting through them called
indirect participants, will represent your beneficial interests in the global
securities (unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides
otherwise). They will record the ownership and transfer of your beneficial
interests through computerized book-entry accounts, eliminating the need for
physical movement of the notes. Book-entry notes will not be exchangeable
for certificated notes and, except under the circumstances described below, will
not otherwise be issued as certificated notes.
S-8
Unless otherwise provided in the applicable
pricing supplement, if you wish to purchase book-entry securities, you must
either be a direct participant or make your purchase through a direct or
indirect participant. Investors who purchase book-entry securities will
hold them in an account at the bank or financial institution acting as their
direct or indirect participant. Holding securities in this way is called
holding in street name.
When you hold securities in street name, you must
rely on the procedures of the institutions through which you hold your
securities to exercise any of the rights granted to holders. This is
because our legal obligations and those of the trustee run only to the
registered owner of the global security, which will be the clearing system or
its nominee. For example, once we and the trustee make a payment to the
registered holder of a global security, neither we nor the trustee will be
liable for the payment to you, even if you do not receive it. In practice,
the clearing system will pass along any payments or notices it receives from us
to its participants, which will pass along the payments to you. In
addition, if you desire to take any action which the holder of a global security
is entitled to take, then the clearing system would authorize the participant
through which you hold your book-entry securities to take such action, and the
participant would then either authorize you to take the action or would act for
you on your instructions. The transactions between you, the participants
and the clearing system will be governed by customer agreements, customary
practices and applicable laws and regulations, and not by any of our or the
trustees legal obligations.
As an owner of book-entry securities represented
by a global security, you will also be subject to the following
restrictions:
·
You will not be entitled to (1) receive physical delivery of the
securities in certificated form or (2) have any of the securities
registered in your name, except under the circumstances described below under
Certificated Notes;
·
You may not be able to transfer or sell your securities to some insurance
companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their
securities in certificated form; and
·
You may not be able to pledge your securities in circumstances where
certificates must be physically delivered to the creditor or the beneficiary of
the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective.
Outside the United States, if you are a
participant in either of Clearstream Banking,
société anonyme
(referred
to as Clearstream Luxembourg) or Euroclear, S.A./N.V. or its successor, as
operator of the Euroclear System (referred to as Euroclear) you may elect to
hold interests in global securities through such systems. Alternatively,
you may elect to hold interests indirectly through organizations that are
participants of such systems. Clearstream Luxembourg and Euroclear will
hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers security
accounts in the names of their respective depositaries, which in turn may hold
such interests in customers securities accounts in the names of their
respective depositaries, which we refer to as the U.S. depositaries, on the
books of the DTC. Notes may also be initially deposited with and settle
through Clearstream, Euroclear or any other depositary specified in the relevant
pricing supplement.
As long as the notes are represented by global
securities, we will pay principal of and interest on such notes to or as
directed by DTC as the registered holder of the global securities (or such other
depositary as may be applicable). Payments to DTC (or such other
depositary) will be in immediately available funds by wire transfer. DTC,
Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear, as applicable, will credit the relevant
accounts of their participants on the applicable date.
DTC, Clearstream Luxembourg and Euroclear,
respectively, advise as follows:
As to
DTC:
DTC advises us that it is a limited-purpose trust company
organized under the New York Banking Law, a banking organization within the
meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a
clearing corporation within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial
Code, and a clearing agency registered pursuant to the provisions of
Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. DTC holds issues
of U.S. and non-U.S. equity, corporate and municipal debt securities deposited
with it by its participants and facilitates the settlement of transactions among
its participants in such securities through electronic computerized book-entry
changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for
physical movement of securities certificates. DTCs participants include
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives)
own DTC. Access to DTCs book-entry system is also available to others,
such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or
indirectly. According to DTC, the foregoing information with respect to
DTC has been provided to the financial community for informational purposes only
and is not intended to serve as a representation, warranty or contract
modification of any kind.
As to
Clearstream Luxembourg
: Clearstream Luxembourg has advised us that it
is incorporated as a limited liability company under Luxembourg law.
Clearstream Luxembourg is owned by Deutsche Börse AG.
Clearstream Luxembourg holds securities for its
participating organizations and facilitates the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions between its participants through electronic book-entry
changes in accounts of participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical
movement of certificates. Clearstream Luxembourg provides to its
participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration,
clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities
lending and borrowing. Clearstream Luxembourg interfaces with domestic
markets in several countries. Clearstream Luxembourg participants are
recognized financial institutions around the world, including underwriters,
securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations
and certain other organizations and may include the underwriters. Indirect
access to Clearstream Luxembourg is also available to others, such as banks,
brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial
relationship with a Clearstream Luxembourg participant either directly or
indirectly. Distributions with respect to notes held beneficially through
Clearstream Luxembourg will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream
Luxembourg participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the
extent received by or on behalf of Clearstream Luxembourg.
S-9
Clearstream Luxembourg effects transactions
through its affiliate, Clearstream Banking SA, which is registered as a bank in
Luxembourg, and as such is subject to regulation by the Commission de
Surveillance du Secteur Financier, which supervises Luxembourg banks. Since 12
February 2001, Clearstream Banking SA has also been supervised by the
Central Bank of Luxembourg according to the Settlement Finality Directive
Implementation of January 12, 2001, following the official notification to
the regulators of Clearstream Banking SAs role as a payment system provider
operating a securities settlement system.
As to
Euroclear
:
Euroclear holds securities and book-entry
interests in securities for participating organizations and facilitates the
clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Euroclear
participants, and between Euroclear participants and participants of certain
other securities intermediaries through electronic book-entry changes in
accounts of such participants or other securities intermediaries.
Euroclear provides Euroclear participants, among
other things, with safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement,
securities lending and borrowing, and related services. Euroclear participants
are investment banks, securities brokers and dealers, banks, central banks,
supra-nationals, custodians, investment managers, corporations, trust companies
and certain other organizations. Certain of the underwriters, or other
financial entities involved in this offering, may be Euroclear
participants.
Non-participants in the Euroclear System may hold
and transfer book-entry interests in notes or index warrants through accounts
with a participant in the Euroclear System or any other securities intermediary
that holds a book-entry interest in the securities through one or more
securities intermediaries standing between such other securities intermediary
and Euroclear.
Under Belgian law, investors that are credited
with securities on the records of Euroclear have a co-property right in the
fungible pool of interests in securities on deposit with Euroclear in an amount
equal to the amount of interests in securities credited to their accounts. In
the event of the insolvency of Euroclear, Euroclear participants would have a
right under Belgian law to the return of the amount and type of interests in
securities credited to their accounts with Euroclear. If Euroclear did not have
a sufficient amount of interests in securities on deposit of a particular type
to cover the claims of all participants credited with such interests in
securities on Euroclears records, all participants having an amount of
interests in securities of such type credited to their accounts with Euroclear
would have the right under Belgian law to the return of their pro-rata share of
the amount of interests in securities actually on deposit.
Under Belgian law, Euroclear is required to pass
on the benefits of ownership in any interests in securities on deposit with it
(such as dividends, voting rights and other entitlements) to any person credited
with such interests in securities on its records.
Distributions
with respect to notes held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to
the cash accounts of Euroclear participants in accordance with the Euroclear
Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by or on behalf of
Euroclear.
Certificated Notes.
We will issue debt securities in
fully registered certificated form in exchange for book-entry securities
represented by a global security only under the circumstances described in the
prospectus under Description of Debt SecuritiesGlobal Securities. If we
do so, you will be entitled to have registered in your name, and have physically
delivered to you, debt securities in certificated form equal to the amount of
book-entry securities you beneficially own. If we issue certificated debt
securities, they will have the same terms and authorized denominations as the
global security.
Global
Clearance and Settlement Procedures
You will be required to make your initial payment
for the notes in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading
between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC
rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTCs
Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Secondary market trading between
Clearstream Luxembourg customers and/or Euroclear participants will occur in the
ordinary way in accordance with applicable rules and operating procedures
applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.
Cross-market transfers between persons holding
directly or indirectly through DTC on the one hand, and directly or indirectly
through Clearstream Luxembourg or Euroclear participants, on the other, will be
effected within DTC in accordance with DTCs rules on behalf of the
relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depositary; however,
such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the
relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such
system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its
established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international
clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements,
deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final
settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving notes in DTC, and making or
receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures. Clearstream
Luxembourg participants and Euroclear participants may not deliver instructions
directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.
Due to time zone differences in their favor,
Euroclear Participants and Clearstream customers may employ their customary
procedure for transactions in which securities are to be transferred by the
respective clearing system, through the applicable U.S. Depository to another
Participants. In these cases, Euroclear will instruct its U.S.
Depository to credit the securities to the Participants account against
payment. The payment will then be reflected in the account of the
Euroclear Participant or Clearstream customer the following business day, and
receipt of the cash proceeds in the Euroclear Participants or Clearstream
customers accounts will be back-valued to the value date (which would be the
preceding day, when settlement occurs in New York). If the Euroclear
Participant or Clearstream customer has a line of credit with its respective
clearing system and elects to draw on such line of credit in anticipation of
receipt of the sale proceeds in its account, the back-valuation may
substantially reduce or offset any overdraft charges incurred over that one-day
period. If settlement is not completed on the intended value date (i.e., the
trade fails), receipt of the cash proceeds in the Euroclear Participants or
Clearstream customers accounts would instead be valued as of the actual
settlement date.
S-10
Although DTC, Clearstream Luxembourg and Euroclear
have agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of
securities among participants of DTC, Clearstream Luxembourg and Euroclear, they
are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and
they may discontinue the procedures at any time.
All information in this document on DTC,
Clearstream Luxembourg and Euroclear is derived from DTC, Clearstream Luxembourg
or Euroclear, as the case maybe, and reflects the policies of these
organizations; these policies are subject to change without notice.
Paying
Agents, Transfer Agents, Exchange Rate Agents and Calculation
Agents
Until the notes are paid, we will maintain a
paying agent and transfer agent in The City of New York. We have initially
appointed the trustee to serve as our paying agent and transfer
agent.
We will appoint an exchange rate agent to
determine the exchange rate for converting payments on notes denominated in a
currency other than U.S. dollars into U.S. dollars, where applicable. In
addition, as long as any floating rate notes or indexed notes are outstanding,
we will maintain a calculation agent for calculating the interest rate and
interest payments, or indexed principal amount and/or indexed interest amount on
the notes.
Payment
of Principal and Interest
General
We will pay interest on registered notes
(a) to the persons in whose names the notes are registered at the close of
business on the record date or (b) if we are paying interest at maturity,
redemption or repurchase, we will make such payment to the person to whom
principal is payable. The regular record date for registered notes is the
date 15 calendar days before the applicable interest payment date, whether or
not a business day. If we issue notes between a record date and an
interest payment date, we will pay the interest that accrues during this period
on the next following interest payment date to the persons in whose names the
notes are registered on the record date for that following interest payment
date.
Book-Entry Note
s
We will, through our paying agent, make payments
of principal, premium, if any, and interest on book-entry notes by wire transfer
to the clearing system or the clearing systems nominee as the registered owner
of the notes, which will receive the funds for distribution to the
holders. We expect that the holders will be paid in accordance with the
procedures of the clearing system and its participants. Neither we nor the
paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any of the records
of, or payments made by, the clearing system or the clearing systems nominee or
common depositary.
Registered Certificated Notes
If we issue registered certificated notes, we will
make payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest to you, as a holder,
by wire transfer if:
·
you own at least U.S.$10,000,000 aggregate principal amount or its
equivalent of notes; and
·
not less than 15 calendar days before the payment date, you notify the
paying agent of your election to receive payment by wire transfer and provide it
with your bank account information and wire transfer instructions.
If we do not pay interest by wire transfer for any
reason, we will, subject to applicable laws and regulations, mail a check to you
on or before the due date for the payment at your address as it appears on the
security register on the applicable record date.
Payment Currency
We will pay any principal, premium or interest in
respect of a note in the currency we have specified for such note. In the
case of a foreign currency note, the exchange rate agent will arrange to convert
all payments in respect of such note into U.S. dollars in the manner described
in the next paragraph. However, if U.S. dollars are not available for
making payments due to the imposition of exchange controls or other
circumstances beyond our control, then the holder of such note will receive
payments in such specified currency until U.S. dollars are again available for
making such payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of a
foreign currency note may (if we so indicate in the applicable pricing
supplement and note) elect to receive all payments in respect of such note in
the specified currency for such note by delivery of a written notice to the
trustee not later than 15 calendar days prior to the applicable payment
date. The holders election generally will remain in effect until revoked
by written notice to the trustee received not later than 15 calendar days prior
to the applicable payment date. The holders election may not be effective
under certain circumstances as described above under Risks Associated with
Foreign Currency Notes and Indexed NotesIf we are unable to make payments in
the specified currency of a foreign currency note, you may experience losses due
to exchange rate fluctuations.
S-11
In the case of a foreign currency note, the
exchange rate agent will determine the amount of any U.S. dollar payment in
respect of such note based on the following exchange rate: the highest firm bid
quotation expressed in U.S. dollars, for the foreign or composite currency in
which such note is denominated, received by the exchange rate agent at
approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second
business
day preceding the applicable payment date (or, if
no such rate is quoted on such date, the last date on which such rate was
quoted), from three (or, if three are not available, then two) recognized
foreign exchange dealers in The City of New York, for the purchase by the
quoting dealer, for settlement on such payment date, of the aggregate amount of
the specified currency for such note payable on such payment date in respect of
all notes denominated in such specified currency. If no such bid
quotations are available, we will make such payments in such specified currency,
unless such specified currency is unavailable due to the imposition of exchange
controls or to other circumstances beyond our control, in which case we will
make such payments as described above under Risks Associated with Foreign
Currency Notes and Indexed NotesIf we are unable to make payments in the
specified currency of a foreign currency note, you may experience losses due to
exchange rate fluctuations.
All currency exchange costs will be borne by the
holders of foreign currency notes by deductions from such payments. Any of
the foreign exchange dealers submitting quotes to the exchange rate agent may be
agents soliciting orders for the notes or affiliates of such agents. All
determinations that the exchange rate agent makes, after being confirmed by us,
will be binding unless they are clearly wrong.
If the principal of any discount note is declared
to be due and payable immediately due to the occurrence of an event of default,
the amount of principal due and payable with respect to such note shall be the
issue price of such note plus the amount of original issue discount amortized
from the issue date of such note to the date of declaration. Such
amortization shall be calculated using the interest method (computed in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles in effect on the
date of declaration).
Interest Rates
General
The interest rate on the notes will not be higher
than the maximum rate permitted by New York law, currently 25% per year on a
simple interest basis. This limit will not apply to notes in which U.S.$2,500,000 or more has been invested. Interest payments on the notes will
generally include interest accrued from and including the issue date or the last
interest payment date to but excluding the following interest payment date or
the date of maturity, redemption or repurchase. Each of these periods is
called an interest period.
The relevant pricing supplement will specify the
day count fraction applicable to the calculation of payments due on the
notes:
·
if 1/1 is specified, the relevant payment will be calculated on the
basis of 1;
·
if actual/365, act/365, A/365, actual/actual or act/act is
specified, the relevant payment will be calculated on the basis of the actual
number of days in the period in respect of which payment is being made divided
by 365 (or, if any portion of that calculation period falls in a leap year, the
sum of (i) the actual number of days in that portion of the period falling
in a leap year divided by 366 and (ii) the actual number of days in that
portion of the calculation period falling in a non-leap year divided by
365);
·
if actual/365 (fixed), act/365 (fixed), A/365 (fixed) or A/365F
is specified, the relevant payment will be calculated on the basis of the actual
number of days in the calculation period in respect of which payment is being
made divided by 365;
·
if actual/360, act/360 or A/360 is specified, the relevant payment
will be calculated on the basis of the actual number of days in the calculation
period in respect of which payment is being made divided by 360;
·
if 30/360, 360/360 or bond basis is specified, the relevant payment
will be calculated on the basis of the number of days in the calculation period
in respect of which payment is being made divided by 360 (the number of days to
be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with 12 30-day months (unless
(i) the last day of the calculation period is the 31 st day of a month but
the first day of the calculation period is a day other than the 30th or 31st day
of a month, in which case the month that includes that last day shall not be
considered to be shortened to a 30-day month or (ii) the last day of the
calculation period is the last day of the month of February, in which case the
month of February shall not be considered to be lengthened to a 30-day
month)); and
·
if 30E/360 or eurobond basis is specified, the relevant payment will
be calculated on the basis of the number of days in the calculation period in
respect of which payment is being made divided by 360 (the number or days to be
calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with 12 30-day months, without
regard to the date of the first day or last day of the calculation period
unless, in the case of the final calculation period, the maturity date is the
last day of the month of February, in which case the month of
February shall not be considered to be lengthened to a 30-day month).
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant pricing
supplement, interest on fixed rate notes will be calculated on a 30/360
basis.
The relevant pricing supplement will also specify
the relevant business day convention applicable to the calculation of payments
due on the notes. The term business day convention means the convention
for adjusting any relevant date if it would otherwise fall on a day that is not
a business day. The following terms, when used in conjunction with the
term business day convention and a date, shall mean that an adjustment will be
made if that date would otherwise fall on a day that is not a business day so
that:
·
if following is specified, that date will be the first following day
that is a business day;
·
if modified following or modified is specified, that date will be the
first following day that is a business day unless that day falls in the next
calendar month, in which case that date will be the first preceding day that is
a business day; and
·
if preceding is specified, that date will be the first preceding day
that is a business day.
S-12
Fixed Rate Notes
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, each fixed rate note will bear interest from its issue date
at the rate per annum (which may be zero) stated on the face of the note until
the principal amount of the note is paid or made available for payment.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, we will pay
interest on each fixed rate note semiannually in arrears on each March 15
and September 15 and at maturity. Each payment of interest on a fixed
rate note in respect of an interest payment date shall include interest accrued
through the day before such interest payment date.
If we are required to make a payment required in
respect of a fixed rate note on a date that is not a business day for such note,
we need not make the payment on such date, but may make it on the first
succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if we had made it on
such date, and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed
payment.
Floating Rate Notes
Each floating rate note will bear interest during
each interest reset period (as defined below) based on the interest rate formula
for such note. The pricing supplement for a floating rate note may specify
an interest rate for the first interest period. This formula is generally
composed of the following:
·
a base interest rate with a specified maturity called the index
maturity,
e.g
., three months, six months, etc.;
·
plus or minus a spread measured in basis points with one basis point
equal to 1/100 of a percentage point; or
·
multiplied by a spread multiplier measured as a percentage.
The applicable pricing supplement will specify the
base rate, the index maturity and the spread or spread multiplier. The
pricing supplement may also specify a maximum (ceiling) or minimum (floor)
interest rate limitation. The calculation agent will use the interest rate
formula, taking into account any maximum or minimum interest rate, to determine
the interest rate in effect for each interest period. All determinations
made by the calculation agent will be binding unless they are clearly
wrong.
We may issue floating rate notes with the
following base rates:
·
LIBOR;
·
the Commercial Paper Rate;
·
the Treasury Rate;
·
the CD Rate;
·
the Federal Funds Rate; or
·
any other rate specified in the relevant pricing supplement.
The applicable pricing supplement will also
specify the following with respect to each floating rate note:
·
the dates as of which the calculation agent will determine the interest
rate for each interest period (referred to as the interest determination
date);
·
the frequency with which the interest rate will be reset,
i.e.
,
daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semiannually or annually;
·
the dates on which the interest rate will be reset (referred to as the
interest reset dates),
i.e.
, the first day of each new interest period,
using the interest rate that the calculation agent determined on the interest
determination date for that interest period;
·
the interest payment dates; and
·
if already determined, the initial interest rate in effect from and
including the issue date to but excluding the first interest reset date.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, the date or dates on which interest will be reset will be as
follows:
·
in the case of notes that reset daily, each business day;
·
in the case of notes, other than those whose base rate is the Treasury
Rate, that reset weekly, the Wednesday of each week;
·
in the case of notes whose base rate is the Treasury Rate that reset
weekly, the Tuesday of each week (except as provided below);
·
in the case of notes that reset monthly, the third Wednesday of each
month;
·
in the case of notes that reset quarterly, the third Wednesday of March,
June, September and December;
S-13
·
in the case of notes that reset semi-annually, the third Wednesday of the
two months of each year specified in the applicable pricing supplement; and in
the case of notes that reset annually, the third Wednesday of the month of each
year specified in the applicable pricing supplement;
with the following two exceptions:
·
the interest rate in effect from the date of issue to the first interest
reset date will be the initial interest rate; and
·
the interest rate in effect for the 10 days immediately prior to the
maturity date will be that in effect on the tenth day preceding the maturity
date.
Determination of Reset Interest
Rates
The interest rate applicable to each period
commencing on the respective interest reset date (the interest reset period)
will be the rate determined as of the applicable interest determination date
defined below on or prior to the relevant calculation date.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, the interest determination date with respect to an
interest reset date will be:
·
for notes for which the base rate is LIBOR, the second London banking day
before the interest reset date unless the designated LIBOR currency is pounds
sterling, in which case the interest determination date, the applicable interest
reset date;
·
for notes for which the base rate is the CD Rate, the Commercial Paper
Rate or the Federal Funds Rate, the second business day before the interest
reset date; and
·
for notes for which the base rate is the Treasury Rate, the day of the
week in which that interest reset date falls on which treasury bills (as defined
below under Treasury Rate) are normally auctioned. Treasury bills are
normally sold at auction on the Monday of each week, unless that day is a legal
holiday, in which case the auction is normally held on the following Tuesday,
but is sometimes held on the preceding Friday. If as a result of a legal
holiday a treasury bill auction is held on the Friday of the week preceding an
interest reset date, the related interest determination date will be the
preceding Friday; and if an auction falls on any interest reset date, then the
interest reset date instead will be the first business day following the
auction.
The interest determination date pertaining to a
floating rate note the interest rate of which is determined with reference to
two or more base rates will be the first business day which is at least two
business days prior to the interest reset date for that floating rate note on
which each base rate is determined. Each base rate will be determined on
that date and the applicable interest rate will take effect on the related
interest reset date.
The interest rate in effect with respect to a
floating rate note on each day that is not an interest reset date will be the
interest rate determined as of the interest determination date for the
immediately preceding interest reset date. The interest rate in effect on
any day that is an interest reset date will be the interest rate determined as
of the interest determination date for that interest reset date, subject in each
case to any applicable law and maximum or minimum interest rate
limitations. However, the interest rate in effect with respect to a
floating rate note for the period from its original issue date to the first
interest reset date, to which we refer as the initial interest rate, will be
determined as specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
Interest Payment Dates
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, the date or dates on which interest will be payable are as
follows:
·
in the case of notes that reset daily, weekly or monthly, the third
Wednesday of each month or the third Wednesday of March, June,
September and December of each year, as specified in the applicable
pricing supplement;
·
in the case of notes that reset quarterly, the third Wednesday of March,
June, September, and December of each year;
·
in the case of notes that reset semi-annually, the third Wednesday of the
two months of each year specified in the applicable pricing supplement; and
·
in the case of notes that reset annually, the third Wednesday of the
month specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
If any interest payment date, other than one that
falls on the maturity date or on a date for earlier redemption or repurchase, or
any interest reset date for a floating rate note would fall on a day that is not
a business day, the interest payment date or interest reset date will instead be
the next business day, unless the notes are LIBOR notes and that business day
falls in the next month, in which case the interest payment date or the interest
reset date will be the preceding business day. If any payment on a
floating rate note is due on the maturity date or upon earlier redemption or
repurchase and that date is not a business day, the payment will be made on the
next business day. In addition, if any payment on a floating rate note is
due on a date that is not a business day in the relevant place of payment, we
will make the payment on the next business day in that place of payment and no
additional interest will accrue as a result of this delay. We will treat
these payments as if they were made on the due date.
S-14
Accrued Interest
Except as specified in the applicable pricing
supplement, the calculation agent will calculate the accrued interest payable on
floating rate notes for any interest period by multiplying the principal amount
of the note by an accrued interest factor, which will equal the interest rate
for the interest period times the relevant day count. If the interest rate
varies during the period, the accrued interest factor will equal the sum of the
interest factors for each day in the interest period. The calculation
agent will compute the interest factors for each day by dividing the interest
rate applicable to that day by 360, 365 or 366, depending on the day count
fraction.
The calculation agent will round all percentages
resulting from any interest rate calculation to the nearest one
hundred-thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a
percentage point rounded upward. For example, the calculation agent will
round 9.876545%, or .09876545, to 9.87655% or .0987655. The calculation
agent will also round all specified currency amounts used in or resulting from
any interest rate calculation to the nearest one-hundredth of a unit, with .005
of a unit being rounded upward.
Calculation Agent
The calculation agent will be specified in the
applicable pricing supplement for each issuance of floating rate notes. If
you are the holder of a floating rate note, you may ask the calculation agent to
provide you with the current interest rate and, if it has been determined, the
interest rate that will be in effect on the next interest reset date. The
calculation agent will also notify us, each paying agent and the registered
holders, if any, of the following information for each interest period (except
for the initial interest period if this information is specified in the
applicable pricing supplement):
·
the interest rate in effect for the interest period;
·
the number of days in the interest period;
·
the next interest payment date; and
·
the amount of interest that we will pay for a specified principal amount
of notes on that interest payment date.
The calculation agent will generally provide this
information by the first business day of each interest period, unless the terms
of a particular series of notes provide that the calculation agent will
calculate the applicable interest rate on a calculation date after that date, in
which case the calculation agent will provide this information by the first
business day following the applicable calculation date.
Base Rates
LIBOR.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, LIBOR means the rate determined by the calculation agent
in accordance with the following provisions:
(a)
For an interest determination date relating to any floating rate note for
which LIBOR is an applicable base rate, to which we refer as a LIBOR interest
determination date, LIBOR will be the arithmetic mean of the offered rates,
unless the Designated LIBOR page, as defined below, by its terms provides only
for a single rate, in which case that single rate shall be used, for deposits in
the designated LIBOR currency having the index maturity specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, commencing on the applicable interest reset date,
that appear, or, if only a single rate is required as aforesaid, appears, on the
designated LIBOR page as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on that LIBOR
interest determination date.
If fewer than two offered rates appear, or no
single rate appears, as applicable, LIBOR in respect of that LIBOR interest
determination date will be determined as if the parties had specified the rate
described in clause (b) below.
(b)
For a LIBOR interest determination date on which fewer than two offered
rates appear, or no rate appears, as the case may be, on the designated LIBOR
page as specified in clause (a) above, the calculation agent will
request the principal London offices of each of four major reference banks,
which may include one or more of the agents or their affiliates, in the London
interbank market, as selected by the calculation agent, after consultation with
us, to provide its offered quotation for deposits in the designated LIBOR
currency for the period of the index maturity specified in the applicable
pricing supplement, commencing on the applicable interest reset date, to prime
banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London
time, on that LIBOR interest determination date and in a principal amount that
is representative for a single transaction in the designated LIBOR currency in
that market at that time.
·
If the reference banks provide at least two such quotations, then LIBOR
for that LIBOR interest determination date will be the arithmetic mean of such
quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, then LIBOR for that
LIBOR interest determination date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates
quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m., in the applicable principal financial
center, as defined below, on that LIBOR interest determination date by three
major banks, which may include one or more of the agents or their affiliates, in
that principal financial center selected by the calculation agent, after
consultation with us, for loans in the designated LIBOR currency to leading
European banks, having the index maturity specified in the applicable pricing
supplement and in a principal amount that is representative for a single
transaction in that designated LIBOR currency in that market at that time.
·
If the banks selected by the calculation agent are not quoting as set
forth above, LIBOR with respect to that LIBOR interest determination date will
be LIBOR for the immediately preceding interest reset period, or if there was no
interest reset period, the rate of interest payable will be the initial interest
rate.
S-15
Designated LIBOR currency means the currency
specified in the applicable pricing supplement as to which LIBOR will be
calculated. If no such currency is specified in the applicable pricing
supplement, the designated LIBOR currency shall be U.S. dollars.
Designated LIBOR page means the display on the
Reuters Money Market Rates Service, or any successor service, on the
page specified in the applicable pricing supplement, or any successor
page on that service, for the purpose of displaying the London interbank
rates of major banks for the designated LIBOR currency.
Principal financial center means the capital
city of the country to which the designated LIBOR currency relates (or the
capital city of the country issuing the specified currency, as applicable),
except that with respect to U.S. dollars, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars,
South African rand and Swiss francs, the principal financial center means The
City of New York, Sydney, Toronto, Johannesburg and Zurich, respectively, and
with respect to euros the principal financial center means the Trans-European
Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) System or any
successor system.
Commercial Paper Rate.
Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, commercial paper rate means, for any interest
determination date relating to any floating rate note for which the commercial
paper rate is an applicable base rate, to which we refer as a commercial paper
rate interest determination date, the money market yield on that date of the
rate for commercial paper having the index maturity specified in the applicable
pricing supplement as published in H.15(519) under the caption Commercial Paper
Nonfinancial. If the commercial paper rate cannot be determined as
described above, the following procedures will apply:
·
If the rate described above is not published by 3:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the relevant calculation date, then the commercial paper rate will
be the money market yield of the rate on that commercial paper rate interest
determination date for commercial paper of the specified index maturity as
published in H.15 Daily Update, or in another recognized electronic source used
for the purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under the caption Commercial
Paper Nonfinancial.
·
If by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the calculation date, the
rate described is not yet published in H.15(519), H.15 Daily Update or another
recognized electronic source, the commercial paper rate for the applicable
commercial paper rate interest determination date will be calculated by the
calculation agent and will be the money market yield of the arithmetic mean of
the offered rates (quoted on a bank discount basis), as of 11:00 a.m., New
York City time, on that commercial paper rate interest determination date of
three leading dealers of U.S. dollar commercial paper in The City of New York,
which may include one or more of the agents or their affiliates, selected by the
calculation agent, after consultation with us, for commercial paper of the index
maturity specified in the applicable pricing supplement placed for a
non-financial issuer whose bond rating is Aa, or the equivalent, from a
nationally recognized statistical rating agency.
·
If the dealers selected as described above by the calculation agent are
not quoting as set forth above, the commercial paper rate with respect to that
commercial paper rate interest determination date will be the commercial paper
rate in effect for the immediately preceding interest reset period, or if there
was no interest reset period, the rate of interest payable will be the initial
interest rate.
Money market yield means the yield, expressed as
a percentage, calculated in accordance with the following formula:
Money market yield =
|
360 x
D
360 (D x
M)
|
x 100
|
where D is the annual rate for commercial paper
quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal, and M is the
actual number of days in the applicable interest period.
H.15(519) means the weekly statistical release
designated Statistical Release H.15(519), Selected Interest Rates, or any
successor publication, published by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
H.15 Daily Update means the daily update of
H.15(519), available through the world-wide-web site of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System at
http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/update, or any successor site or
publication. All references to this website are inserted as inactive
textual references to the uniform resource locator, or URL, and are for your
informational reference only. Information on that website is not
incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying
prospectus.
S-16
Treasury Rate Notes.
Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, treasury rate means, with respect to any
interest determination date relating to any floating rate note for which the
treasury rate is an applicable base rate, to which we refer as a treasury rate
interest determination date, the rate from the auction held on such treasury
rate interest determination date of direct obligations of the United States, or
treasury bills, having the index maturity specified in the applicable pricing
supplement under the caption INVEST RATE on the display on Reuters Money
Markets Rates Service or any successor service, on page USAUCTION 10, or
any other page as may replace that page on that service, or
page USAUCTION 11, or any other page as may replace that
page on that service. If the treasury rate cannot be determined in
this manner, the following procedures will apply:
·
If the rate described above is not so published by 3:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the related calculation date, the bond equivalent yield of
the rate for those treasury bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, or another
recognized electronic source used for the purpose of displaying that rate,
under the caption U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Auction High, will
be the treasury rate.
·
If the rate described in the prior paragraph is not so published by
3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related calculation date, the bond
equivalent yield, as defined below, of the auction rate of such treasury bills
as announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
·
If the auction rate described in the prior paragraph is not so announced
by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or if no such auction is held, then the
treasury rate will be the bond equivalent yield of the rate on that treasury
rate interest determination date of treasury bills having the index maturity
specified in the applicable pricing supplement as published in H.15(519) under
the caption U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary Market or, if
not yet published by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related
calculation date, the rate on that treasury rate interest determination date of
those treasury bills as published in H.15 Daily Update, or another recognized
electronic source used for the purpose of displaying that rate, under the
caption U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Secondary Market.
·
If the rate described in the prior paragraph is not yet published in
H.15(519), H.15 Daily Update or another recognized electronic source, then the
treasury rate will be calculated by the calculation agent and will be the bond
equivalent yield of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid rates, as of
approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on that treasury rate interest
determination date, of three leading primary United States government securities
dealers, which may include one or more of the agents or their affiliates,
selected by the calculation agent, after consultation with the Company, for the
issue of treasury bills with a remaining maturity closest to the index maturity
specified in the applicable pricing supplement.
·
If the dealers selected as described above by the calculation agent are
not quoting as set forth above, the treasury rate with respect to that treasury
rate interest determination date will be the treasury rate for the immediately
preceding interest reset period, or if there was no interest reset period, the
rate of interest payable will be the initial interest rate.
Bond equivalent yield means a yield, expressed
as a percentage, calculated in accordance with the following formula:
Bond equivalent
yield =
|
D
x N
360 (D x
M)
|
where D is the applicable per annum rate for
treasury bills quoted on a bank discount basis, N refers to 365 or 366, as the
case may be, and M is the actual number of days in the applicable interest
reset period.
CD
Rate.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing
supplement, CD rate means, with respect to any interest determination date
relating to any floating rate note for which the CD rate is an applicable base
rate, which date we refer to as a CD rate interest determination date, the
rate on that date for negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit having the
index maturity specified in the applicable pricing supplement as published in
H.15(519), as defined below, under the heading CDs (Secondary Market).
If the CD rate cannot be determined in this manner, the following procedures
will apply:
·
If the rate described above is not published by 3:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the relevant calculation date, then the CD rate will be the rate
on that CD rate interest determination date for negotiable U.S. dollar
certificates of deposit having the specified index maturity as published in H.15
Daily Update, as defined below, or other recognized electronic sources used for
the purpose of displaying the applicable rate, under the caption CDs (Secondary
Market).
·
If by 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the applicable calculation
date, that rate is not published in either H.15(519), H.15 Daily Update or
another recognized electronic source, the CD rate for that CD rate interest
determination date will be calculated by the calculation agent and will be the
arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered rates as of 10:00 a.m., New
York City time, on that CD rate interest determination date, of three leading
non-bank dealers in negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit in The City
of New York, which may include one or more of the agents or their affiliates,
selected by the calculation agent, after consultation with us, for negotiable
U.S. dollar certificates of deposit of major U.S. money market banks with a
remaining maturity closest to the index maturity specified in the applicable
pricing supplement in an amount that is representative for a single transaction
in that market at that time.
·
If the dealers selected as described above by the calculation agent are
not quoting rates as set forth above, the CD rate for that CD interest rate
determination date will be the CD rate in effect for the immediately preceding
interest reset period, or if there was no interest reset period, then the rate
of interest payable will be the initial interest rate.
S-17
Federal Funds Rate.
Unless otherwise specified in the
applicable pricing supplement, federal funds rate means, with respect to any
interest determination date relating to any floating rate note for which the
federal funds rate is an applicable base rate, to which we refer as a federal
funds rate interest determination date, the rate on that date for United States
dollar federal funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading Federal Funds
(Effective) as that rate is displayed on Reuters Money Markets Rates Service,
or any successor service, on page FEDFUNDS1, or any other page as
may replace that page on that service. If the federal funds rate
cannot be determined in this manner, the following procedures will apply.
·
If the rate described above does not appear on page FEDFUNDS1 by
3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related calculation date, then the
federal funds rate will be the rate on that federal funds rate interest
determination date for United States dollar federal funds as published in H.15
Daily Update, or another recognized electronic source used for the purpose of
displaying that rate, under the caption Federal Funds (Effective).
·
If the rate described above does not appear on FEDFUNDS1 and is not yet
published in H.15(519), H.15 Daily Update or another electronic source by
3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the related calculation date, then the
federal funds rate for that federal funds rate interest determination date will
be calculated by the calculation agent and will be the arithmetic mean of the
rates for the last transaction in overnight United States dollar federal funds
arranged by three leading brokers of United States dollar federal funds
transactions in The City of New York, which may include one or more of the
agents or their affiliates, selected by the calculation agent, after
consultation with us, prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on that
federal funds rate interest determination date.
·
If the brokers selected as described above by the calculation agent are
not quoting as set forth above, the federal funds rate with respect to that
federal funds rate interest determination date will be the federal funds rate
for the immediately preceding interest reset period, or if there was no interest
reset period, the rate of interest payable will be the initial interest
rate.
Indexed
Notes
We may offer indexed notes according to which the
principal and/or interest is determined by reference to one or more underlying
assets or measures, including currencies or composite currencies, exchange
rates, swap indices between currencies or composite currencies, commodities,
commodity indices or baskets, securities or securities baskets or indices,
interest rates or other indices or any other financial, economic or other
measure or instrument, including the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event
or circumstance described in the applicable pricing supplement.
The pricing supplement will describe how interest
and principal payments on indexed notes will be determined. It will also
include historical and other information about the index or indices and
information about the U.S. tax consequences to the holders of indexed
notes.
Amounts payable on an indexed note will be based
on the face amount of the note. The pricing supplement will describe
whether the principal amount that we will pay you on redemption or repayment
before maturity would be the face amount, the principal amount at that date or
another amount.
If a third party is responsible for calculating or
announcing an index for certain indexed notes and that third party stops
calculating or announcing the index, or changes the way that the index is
calculated in a way not permitted in the pricing supplement, then the index will
be calculated by an independent determination agent named in the pricing
supplement. If no independent agent is named, then we will calculate the
index. If neither the determination agent nor we can calculate the index
in the same way and under the same conditions as the original third party, then
the principal or interest on the notes will be determined as described in the
pricing supplement. All calculations that we or the independent
determination agent make will be binding unless they are clearly
wrong.
If you purchase an indexed note, the applicable
pricing supplement will include information about the relevant underlying index
or measure, about how amounts that are to become payable will be determined by
reference to the price or value of that index and about the terms on which
amounts payable on the note may be settled physically or in cash. Note
that, under the indenture, physical settlement is only possible if relevant
procedures are agreed between us and the trustee. Such procedures have not
yet been agreed. In the event of physical settlement, the relevant pricing
supplement will specify in detail the procedures for such physical
settlement. The pricing supplement will also identify the calculation
agent that will calculate the amounts payable with respect to the indexed debt
security and may exercise significant discretion in doing so. An
investment in indexed notes may entail significant risks. See Risks
Associated With Foreign Currency Notes and Indexed NotesIndexed Notes, as well
as the risks described in the applicable pricing supplement.
European Monetary Union
On January 1, 1999, the European Union
introduced the single European currency known as the euro in the 11 (now 15)
participating member states of the European Monetary Union. A
participating member state is a member state of the European Union that has
adopted the euro as its legal currency according to the Treaty of Rome of
March 25, 1957, as amended by the Single European Act of 1986 and the
Treaty on European Union, signed in Maastricht on February 1, 1992.
As of the date of this prospectus supplement, Sweden does not participate in the
single currency.
If so specified in the applicable pricing
supplement, we may at our option, and without the consent of the holders of the
notes or the need to amend the notes or the indenture, re-denominate the notes
issued in the currency of a country that subsequently participates in the final
stage of the European Monetary Union, or otherwise participates in the European
Monetary Union in a manner with similar effect to such final stage, into
euro. The provisions relating to any such redenomination will be contained
in the applicable pricing supplement. You are responsible for informing
yourself about the effects or potential of European Monetary Union on any
investment you make.
S-18
Redemption and Repurchase
General
The pricing supplement for the issuance of each
series of notes will indicate either that:
·
the notes cannot be redeemed prior to their maturity date (other than on
the occurrence of the tax events described under Description of Debt
SecuritiesOptional Redemption Due to Changes in Swedish Tax Treatment in the
accompanying prospectus); or
·
the notes will be redeemable or subject to repayment at our or the
holders option on or after a specified date at a specified redemption or
repayment price. The redemption or repayment price may be par or may
decline from a specified premium to par at a later date, together, in each case,
with accrued interest to the date of redemption or repayment.
Market Repurchases
We may repurchase notes at any time and price in
the open market or otherwise. Notes we repurchase may, at our discretion,
be held, resold (subject to compliance with applicable securities and tax laws)
or surrendered to the trustee for cancellation.
Discount Notes
If the pricing supplement states that a note is a
discount note, the amount payable in the event of redemption, repayment or other
acceleration of the maturity date will be the amortized face amount of the note
as of the date of redemption, repayment or acceleration, but in no event more
than its principal amount. The amortized face amount is equal to
(a) the issue price plus (b) that portion of the difference between
the issue price and the principal amount that has accrued at the yield to
maturity described in the pricing supplement (computed in accordance with
generally accepted U.S. bond yield computation principles) by the redemption,
repayment or acceleration date.
Sinking Fund
The notes will not be subject to any sinking
fund.
Notices
Notices to holders of notes will be made by first
class mail, postage prepaid, or sent by facsimile transmission to the registered
holders. Under the indenture, we have irrevocably appointed the Consulate
General of Sweden in The City of New York as our authorized agent for service of
process in any action based on the debt securities brought against us in any
State or federal court in The City of New York. Under the indenture, we
will waive any immunity from the jurisdiction of these courts to which we might
be entitled in any action based on these debt securities.
S-19
UNITED
STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The following discussion summarizes certain U.S.
federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to you if you invest in
notes and are a U.S. holder. You will be a U.S. holder if you are a
beneficial owner of the notes and you are an individual who is a citizen or
resident of the United States, a U.S. domestic corporation, or any other person
that is subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis in respect of
an investment in the notes. This summary deals only with U.S. holders that
hold notes as capital assets. It does not address considerations that may
be relevant to you if you are an investor that is subject to special tax rules,
such as a bank, thrift, real estate investment trust, regulated investment
company, insurance company, dealer in securities or currencies, trader in
securities or commodities that elects mark to market treatment, certain
short-term holders of the notes, persons that will hedge their exposure to the
notes or will hold notes as a hedge against currency risk or as a position in a
straddle or conversion transaction, tax-exempt organization or a person whose
functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. U.S. holders should be aware
that the U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding notes may be materially
different for investors described in the prior sentence.
This summary is based on laws, regulations,
rulings and decisions now in effect, all of which may change. Any change
could apply retroactively and could affect the continued validity of this
summary.
You should consult your tax adviser about the tax
consequences of holding notes, including the relevance to your particular
situation of the considerations discussed below, as well as the relevance to
your particular situation of state, local or other tax laws.
Payments or Accruals of Interest
Payments or accruals of qualified stated
interest (as defined below) on a note will be taxable to you as ordinary
interest income at the time that you receive or accrue such amounts (in
accordance with your regular method of tax accounting). If you use the
cash method of tax accounting and you receive payments of interest pursuant to
the terms of a note in a currency other than U.S. dollars (a foreign
currency), the amount of interest income you will realize will be the U.S.
dollar value of the foreign currency payment based on the exchange rate in
effect on the date you receive the payment, regardless of whether you convert
the payment into U.S. dollars. If you are an accrual-basis U.S. holder,
you will accrue interest income on foreign currency notes in the relevant
foreign currency, and will translate the amount so accrued into U.S. dollars
based on the average exchange rate in effect during the interest accrual period
(or with respect to an interest accrual period that spans two taxable years,
based on the average exchange rate for the partial period within the taxable
year). Alternatively, as an accrual-basis U.S. holder, you may elect to
translate all interest income on foreign currency-denominated notes at the spot
rate on the last day of the accrual period (or the last day of the taxable year,
in the case of an accrual period that spans more than one taxable year) or on
the date that you receive the interest payment if that date is within five
business days of the end of the accrual period. If you make this election,
you must apply it consistently to all debt instruments from year to year and you
cannot change the election without the consent of the Internal Revenue
Service. If you use the accrual method of accounting for tax purposes, you
will recognize foreign currency gain or loss on the receipt of a foreign
currency interest payment if the exchange rate in effect on the date the payment
is received differs from the rate applicable to a previous accrual of that
interest income. This foreign currency gain or loss will be treated as
ordinary income or loss, but generally will not be treated as an adjustment to
interest income received on the note.
Purchase, Sale and Retirement of Notes
Initially, your tax basis in a note generally will
equal the cost of the note to you. Your basis will increase by any amounts
that you are required to include in income under the rules governing
original issue discount and market discount, and will decrease by the amount of
any amortized premium and any payments other than payments of qualified stated
interest made on the note. (The rules for determining these amounts
are discussed below.) If you purchase a note that is denominated in a foreign
currency, the cost to you (and therefore generally your initial tax basis) will
be the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency purchase price on the date of
purchase calculated at the exchange rate in effect on that date. If the
foreign currency note is traded on an established securities market and you are
a cash-basis taxpayer (or if you are an accrual-basis taxpayer that makes a
special election), you will determine the U.S. dollar value of the cost of the
note by translating the amount of the foreign currency that you paid for the
note at the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date of your purchase.
The amount of any subsequent adjustments to your tax basis in a note in respect
of foreign currency-denominated original issue discount, market discount and
premium will be determined in the manner described below. If you convert
U.S. dollars into a foreign currency and then immediately use that foreign
currency to purchase a note, you generally will not have any taxable gain or
loss as a result of the conversion or purchase.
When you sell or exchange a note, or if a note
that you hold is retired, you generally will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount you realize on the transaction (less any accrued
qualified stated interest, which will be subject to tax in the manner described
above under Payments or Accruals of Interest) and your tax basis in the
note. If you sell or exchange a note for a foreign currency, or receive
foreign currency on the retirement of a note, the amount you will realize for
U.S. tax purposes generally will be the dollar value of the foreign currency
that you receive calculated at the exchange rate in effect on the date the
foreign currency note is disposed of or retired. If you dispose of a
foreign currency note that is traded on an established securities market and you
are a cash-basis U.S. holder (or if you are an accrual-basis holder that makes a
special election), you will determine the U.S. dollar value of the amount
realized by translating the amount at the spot rate of exchange on the
settlement date of the sale, exchange or retirement.
The special election available to you if you are
an accrual-basis taxpayer in respect of the purchase and sale of foreign
currency notes traded on an established securities market, which is discussed in
the two preceding paragraphs, must be applied consistently to all debt
instruments from year to year and cannot be changed without the consent of the
Internal Revenue Service.
S-20
Except as discussed below with respect to market
discount, short-term notes (as defined below) and foreign currency gain or loss,
the gain or loss that you recognize on the sale, exchange or retirement of a note generally will be
capital gain or loss. The gain or loss on the sale, exchange or retirement
of a note will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held the note for
more than one year on the date of disposition. Net long-term capital gain
recognized by an individual U.S. holder generally will be subject to tax at a
lower rate than net short-term capital gain or ordinary income. The
ability of U.S. holders to offset capital losses against ordinary income is
limited.
Despite the foregoing, the gain or loss that you
recognize on the sale, exchange or retirement of a foreign currency note
generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss to the extent that the gain
or loss is attributable to changes in exchange rates during the period in which
you held the note. This foreign currency gain or loss will not be treated
as an adjustment to interest income that you receive on the note.
Original Issue Discount
If we issue notes at a discount from their stated
redemption price at maturity (as defined below), and the discount is equal to
or more than the product of one-fourth of one percent (0.25%) of the stated
redemption price at maturity of the notes multiplied by the number of full years
to their maturity, the notes will be original issue discount notes. The
difference between the issue price and the stated redemption price at maturity
of the notes will be the original issue discount. The issue price of the
notes will be the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes are
sold to the public (
i.e.
, excluding sales of notes to underwriters,
placement agents, wholesalers, or similar persons). The stated redemption
price at maturity will include all payments under the notes other than payments
of qualified stated interest. The term qualified stated interest
generally means stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or
property (other than debt instruments issued by the Company) at least annually
during the entire term of a note at a single fixed interest rate or, subject to
certain conditions, based on one or more interest indices.
If you invest in an original issue discount note,
you generally will be subject to the special tax accounting rules for
original issue discount obligations provided by the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, and certain U.S. Treasury regulations. You should be
aware that, as described in greater detail below, if you invest in an original
issue discount note, you generally will be required to include original issue
discount in ordinary gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes as it
accrues, although you may not yet have received the cash attributable to that
income.
In general, and regardless of whether you use the
cash or the accrual method of tax accounting, if you are the holder of an
original issue discount note with a maturity greater than one year, you will be
required to include in ordinary gross income the sum of the daily portions of
original issue discount on that note for all days during the taxable year that
you own the note. The daily portions of original issue discount on an
original issue discount note are determined by allocating to each day in any
accrual period a ratable portion of the original issue discount allocable to
that period. Accrual periods may be any length and may vary in length over
the term of an original issue discount note, so long as no accrual period is
longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs
on the first or last day of an accrual period. If you are the initial
holder of the note, the amount of original issue discount on an original issue
discount note allocable to each accrual period is determined by:
(i)
multiplying the adjusted issue price (as defined below) of the note at
the beginning of the accrual period by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
annual yield to maturity (defined below) of the note and the denominator of
which is the number of accrual periods in a year; and
(ii)
subtracting from that product the amount (if any) payable as qualified
stated interest allocable to that accrual period.
The adjusted issue price of an original issue
discount note at the beginning of any accrual period will generally be the sum
of its issue price (including any accrued interest) and the amount of original
issue discount allocable to all prior accrual periods, reduced by the amount of
all payments other than any qualified stated interest payments on the note in
all prior accrual periods. All payments on an original issue discount note
(other than qualified stated interest) will generally be viewed first as
payments of previously accrued original issue discount (to the extent of the
previously accrued discount), with payments considered made from the earliest
accrual periods first, and then as a payment of principal. The annual
yield to maturity of a note is the discount rate (appropriately adjusted to
reflect the length of accrual periods) that causes the present value on the
issue date of all payments on the note to equal the issue price. In the
case of an original issue discount note that is a floating rate note, both the
annual yield to maturity and the qualified stated interest will be determined
for these purposes as though the note will bear interest in all periods at a
fixed rate generally equal to the rate that would be applicable to interest
payments on the note on its date of issue or, in the case of some floating rate
notes, the rate that reflects the yield that is reasonably expected for the
note. (Additional rules may apply if interest on a floating rate note
is based on more than one interest index.)
As a result of this constant yield method of
including original issue discount income, the amounts you will be required to
include in your gross income if you invest in an original issue discount note
denominated in U.S. dollars generally will be lesser in the early years and
greater in the later years than amounts that would be includible on a
straight-line basis.
You generally may make an irrevocable election to
include in income your entire return on a note (
i.e.
, the excess of all
remaining payments to be received on the note, including payments of qualified
stated interest, over the amount you paid for the note) under the constant yield
method described above. If you purchase notes at a premium or market
discount and if you make this election, you will also be deemed to have made the
election (discussed below under the Premium and Market Discount) to amortize
premium or to accrue market discount currently on a constant yield basis in
respect of all other premium or market discount bonds that you hold.
S-21
In the case of an original issue discount note
that is also a foreign currency note, you should determine the U.S. dollar
amount includible as original issue discount for each accrual period by
(i) calculating the amount of original issue discount allocable to each
accrual period in the foreign currency using the constant yield method described
above and (ii) translating that foreign currency amount at the average exchange rate in effect during that accrual period
(or, with respect to an interest accrual period that spans two taxable years, at
the average exchange rate for each partial period). Alternatively, you may
translate the foreign currency amount at the spot rate of exchange on the last
day of the accrual period (or the last day of the taxable year, for an accrual
period that spans two taxable years) or at the spot rate of exchange on the date
of receipt, if that date is within five business days of the last day of the
accrual period, provided that you have made the election described above under
Payments or Accruals of Interest. Because exchange rates may fluctuate, if you
are the holder of an original issue discount note that is also a foreign
currency note, you may recognize a different amount of original issue discount
income in each accrual period than would be the case if you were the holder of
an otherwise similar original issue discount note denominated in U.S.
dollars. Upon the receipt of an amount attributable to original issue
discount (whether in connection with a payment of an amount that is not
qualified stated interest or the sale or retirement of the original issue
discount note), you will recognize ordinary income or loss measured by the
difference between the amount received (translated into U.S. dollars at the
exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt or on the date of disposition of
the original issue discount note, as the case may be) and the amount of original
issue discount accrued (using the exchange rate applicable to such previous
accrual).
If you purchase an original issue discount note
outside of the initial offering at a cost less than its remaining redemption
amount (
i.e.
, the total of all future payments to be made on the note
other than payments of qualified stated interest), or if you purchase an
original issue discount note in the initial offering at a price other than the
notes issue price, you generally will also be required to include in gross
income the daily portions of original issue discount, calculated as described
above. However, if you acquire an original issue discount note at a price
greater than its adjusted issue price, you will be required to reduce your
periodic inclusions of original issue discount to reflect the premium paid over
the adjusted issue price. On the other hand, if you acquired an original
issue discount note at a price that was less than its adjusted issue price by at
least 0.25% of its adjusted issue price multiplied by the number of remaining
whole years to maturity, the market discount rules discussed below also
will apply.
Floating rate notes generally will be treated as
variable rate debt instruments under U.S. Treasury regulations dealing with
original issue discount notes Accordingly, the stated interest on a floating
rate note generally will be treated as qualified stated interest and such a
note will not have original issue discount solely as a result of the fact that
it provides for interest at a variable rate. If a floating rate note does
not qualify as a variable rate debt instrument, the note will be subject to
special rules that govern the tax treatment of debt obligations that
provide for contingent payments. We will provide a detailed description of
the tax considerations relevant to U.S. holders of any such notes in the pricing
supplement.
Certain notes may be redeemed prior to their
stated maturity, either at the option of the Company or at the option of the
holder, or may have special repayment or interest rate reset features as
indicated in the pricing supplement. Notes containing these features, in
particular original issue discount notes may be subject to special
rules that differ from the general rules discussed above. If you
purchase original issue discount notes with these features, you should carefully
examine the pricing supplement and consult your tax adviser about their
treatment since the tax consequences of investing in original issue discount
notes will depend, in part, on the particular terms and features of those
notes.
Short-Term Notes
The rules described above also will generally
apply to original issue discount notes with maturities of one year or less
(short-term notes), but with some modifications.
First, the original issue discount
rules treat none of the interest on a short-term note as qualified stated
interest, and treat a short-term note as having original issue discount.
Thus, all short-term notes will be original issue discount notes. Except
as noted below, if you are a cash-basis holder of a short-term note and you do
not identify the short-term note as part of a hedging transaction you will
generally not be required to accrue original issue discount currently, but you
will be required to treat any gain realized on a sale, exchange or retirement of
the note as ordinary income to the extent such gain does not exceed the original
issue discount accrued with respect to the note during the period you held the
note. You may not be allowed to deduct all of the interest paid or accrued
on any indebtedness incurred or maintained to purchase or carry a short-term
note until the Maturity of the note or its earlier disposition in a taxable
transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you are a cash-basis U.S.
holder of a short-term note, you may elect to accrue original issue discount on
a current basis (in which case the limitation on the deductibility of interest
described above will not apply). A U.S. holder using the accrual method of
tax accounting and some cash method holders (including banks, securities
dealers, regulated investment companies and certain trust funds) generally will
be required to include original issue discount on a short-term note in gross
income on a current basis. Original issue discount will be treated as
accruing for these purposes on a ratable basis or, at the election of the
holder, on a constant yield basis based on daily compounding.
Second, regardless of whether you are a cash-basis
or accrual-basis holder, if you are the holder of a short-term note you may
elect to accrue any acquisition discount with respect to the note on a current
basis Acquisition discount is the excess of the remaining redemption amount of
the note at the time of acquisition over the purchase price. Acquisition
discount will be treated as accruing ratably or, at the election of the holder,
under a constant yield method based on daily compounding. If you elect to
accrue acquisition discount, the original issue discount rules will not
apply.
Finally, the market discount rules described
below will not apply to short-term notes.
S-22
Premium
If you purchase a note at a cost greater than the
notes remaining redemption amount, you will be considered to have purchased the
note at a premium, and you may elect to amortize the premium as an offset to
interest income, using a constant yield method, over the remaining term of the
note. If you make this election, it generally will apply to all debt
instruments that you hold at the time of the election, as well as any debt
instruments that you subsequently acquire. In addition, you may not revoke
the election without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service. If you
elect to amortize the premium, you will be required to reduce your tax basis in
the note by the amount of the premium amortized
during your holding period. Original issue
discount notes purchased at a premium will not be subject to the original issue
discount rules described above. In the case of premium on a foreign
currency note, you should calculate the amortization of the premium in the
foreign currency. Premium amortization deductions attributable to a period
reduce interest income in respect of that period, and therefore are translated
into U.S. dollars at the rate that you use for interest payments in respect of
that period. Exchange gain or loss will be realized with respect to
amortized premium on a foreign currency note based on the difference between the
exchange rate computed on the date or dates the premium is amortized against
interest payments on the note and the exchange rate on the date the holder
acquired the note. If you do not elect to amortize premium, the amount of
premium will be included in your tax basis in the note. Therefore, if you
do not elect to amortize premium and you hold the note to Maturity, you
generally will be required to treat the premium as capital loss when the note
matures.
Market
Discount
If you purchase a note at a price that is lower
than the notes remaining redemption amount (or in the case of an original issue
discount note, the notes adjusted issue price), by 0.25% or more of the
remaining redemption amount (or adjusted issue price), multiplied by the number
of remaining whole years to maturity, the note will be considered to bear
market discount in your hands. In this case, any gain that you realize
on the disposition of the note generally will be treated as ordinary interest
income to the extent of the market discount that accrued on the note during your
holding period. In addition, you may be required to defer the deduction of
a portion of the interest paid on any indebtedness that you incurred or
continued to purchase or carry the note. In general, market discount will
be treated as accruing ratably over the term of the note, or, at your election,
under a constant yield method. You must accrue market discount on a
foreign currency note in the specified currency. The amount that you will
be required to include in income in respect of accrued market discount will be
the U.S. dollar value of the accrued amount, generally calculated at the
exchange rate in effect on the date that you dispose of the note.
You may elect to include market discount in gross
income currently as it accrues (on either a ratable or constant yield basis), in
lieu of treating a portion of any gain realized on a sale of the note as
ordinary income. If you elect to include market discount on a current
basis, the interest deduction deferral rule described above will not
apply. If you do make such an election, it will apply to all market
discount debt instruments that you acquire on or after the first day of the
first taxable year to which the election applies. The election may not be
revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service. Any accrued
market discount on a foreign currency note that is currently includible in
income will be translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the
accrual period (or portion thereof within the holders taxable year).
Indexed
Notes and Other Notes Providing for Contingent Payments
Special rules govern the tax treatment of
debt obligations that provide for contingent payments (contingent debt
obligations). These rules generally require accrual of interest
income on a constant yield basis in respect of contingent debt obligations at a
yield determined at the time of issuance of the obligation, and may require
adjustments to these accruals when any contingent payments are made. We
will provide a detailed description of the tax considerations relevant to U.S.
holders of any contingent debt obligations in the pricing supplement.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
The paying agent must file information returns
with the United States Internal Revenue Service in connection with note payments
made to certain United States persons. If you are a United States person,
you generally will not be subject to United States backup withholding tax on
such payments if you provide your taxpayer identification number to the paying
agent. You may also be subject to information reporting and backup
withholding tax requirements with respect to the proceeds from a sale of the
notes. If you are not a United States person, you may have to comply with
certification procedures to establish that you are not a United States person in
order to avoid information reporting and backup withholding tax
requirements.
S-23
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution
We may offer the notes on a continuous basis
through agents that have agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to solicit
orders. The terms and conditions contained in the agency agreement, dated
December 15, 2008 (the Agency Agreement), and any terms agreement entered
into thereunder will govern these selling efforts. The agents who have
entered into this agreement with us are listed on page S-2.
We will pay the agents a commission that will be
negotiated at the time of sale. Generally, the commission will take the
form of a discount, which may vary based on the maturity of the notes offered
and is expected to range from 0.125% to 0.650% of the principal amount (but may
be outside that range, and will, in any event, be specified in the applicable
pricing supplement).
In addition to the agents listed on page S-2,
we may sell notes through other agents who execute the forms and receive the
confirmations required by the Agency Agreement. The applicable pricing
supplement will specify the agents and their commission.
We have the right to accept orders or reject
proposed purchases in whole or in part. The agents also have the right,
using their reasonable discretion, to reject any proposed purchase of notes in
whole or in part.
We may also sell notes to agents as principal,
i.e.
, for their own accounts. These notes may be resold in one or more
transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering
price or at varying prices. The pricing supplement relating to these notes
will specify the purchase price paid by the agents and, if the notes are to be
resold at a fixed public offering price, the initial public offering price and
the underwriting discounts and commissions. Unless the pricing supplement
specifies otherwise, any note purchased by an agent as principal will be
purchased at 100% of the principal amount of the note minus a percentage equal
to the commission applicable to an agency sale of a note of identical
maturity. These notes may be sold to other dealers. The agents and
dealers may allow concessions, which will be described in the pricing
supplement. Such concessions may not be in excess of those concessions
received by such agent from us. After the initial public offering of the
notes, the public offering price, the concession and the discount may be
changed.
The notes will generally not have an established
trading market when issued. The agents may make a market in the notes, but
are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market-making at any time
without notice. We cannot assure you that a secondary market will be
established for any series of notes, or that any of them will be sold. The
notes will not be listed on any securities exchange, unless otherwise indicated
in the pricing supplement.
In order to facilitate the offering of the notes,
the stabilizing manager or any person acting for the stabilizing manager may
engage in transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the notes
issued under the program at a level higher than that which might otherwise
prevail for a limited period after the issue date. In particular, the
stabilizing manager or any person acting for it may:
·
over-allot in connection with the offering,
i.e.
, offer and
apportion more of the notes than the agents have, creating a short position in
the notes for their own accounts;
·
bid for and purchase notes in the open market to cover over-allotments or
to stabilize the price of the notes; or
·
if the stabilizing manager or any person acting on its behalf repurchases
previously-distributed notes, reclaim selling concessions which they gave to
dealers when they sold the notes.
Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain
the market price of the notes above independent market levels. The
stabilizing manager or any person acting on its behalf are not required to
engage in these activities, and, if they do, they may discontinue them at any
time and they must be brought to an end after a limited period. Such
stabilizing shall be in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and
rules.
We may agree to reimburse the agents for certain
expenses incurred in connection with the offering of the notes. The agents
and their affiliates may engage in transactions with and perform services for us
in the ordinary course of business.
We have agreed to indemnify the agents against
certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the U.S. Securities Act
of 1933 (the Securities Act). The agents, whether acting as agent or
principal, and any dealer that offers the notes, may be deemed to be
underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act.
A form of pricing supplement is attached as Annex
A to this prospectus supplement.
Selling
Restrictions
Each of the agents has represented and agreed that
it has not offered, sold or delivered and will not offer, sell or deliver any of
the notes directly or indirectly, or distribute this prospectus supplement or
the accompanying prospectus or any other offering material relating to the
notes, in or from any jurisdiction except under circumstances that will result
in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations thereof and that will not
impose any obligations on us except as set forth in the terms
agreement.
S-24
European Economic Area
In relation to each member state of the European
Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each of which we
refer to as a Relevant Member State), each agent has represented and agreed, and
each further agent appointed under the program will be required to represent and
agree, that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus
Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (which we refer to as the
Relevant Implementation Date) it has not made and will not make an offer of the
notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus
supplement as completed by the final terms in relation thereto to the public in
that Relevant Member State (which we refer to in this section as the
Securities) except that it may, with effect from and including the Relevant
Implementation Date, make an offer of such Securities to the public in that
Relevant Member State:
(a) if the
final terms in relation to the Securities specify that an offer of those
Securities may be made other than pursuant to Article 3(2) of the
Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State (a Non-exempt Offer),
following the date of publication of a prospectus in relation to such Securities
which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State
or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to
the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, provided that any such
prospectus has subsequently been completed by the final terms contemplating such
Non-exempt Offer, in accordance with the Prospectus Directive in the period
beginning and ending on the dates specified in such prospectus or final terms,
as applicable;
(b) at any
time to legal entities which are authorised or regulated to operate in the
financial markets or, if not so authorised or regulated, whose corporate purpose
is solely to invest in securities;
(c) at any
time to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at
least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance
sheet of more than 43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than
50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; or
(d) at any
time to fewer than 100 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors
as defined in the Prospectus Directive) subject to obtaining the prior consent
of the relevant agents nominated by SEK for any such offer; or
(e) at any
time in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the
Prospectus Directive,
provided that no such offer of Securities referred
to in (b) to (e) above shall require SEK or any agent to publish a
prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement
a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression
an offer to the public in relation to any Securities in any Relevant Member
State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient
information on the terms of the offer and the Securities to be offered so as to
enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Securities, as the
same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the
Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression Prospectus
Directive means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing
measure in each Relevant Member State.
The EEA selling restriction is in addition to any
other selling restrictions set out below.
United Kingdom
Each agent has represented and agreed, and each
further agent appointed under the program will be required to represent and
agree, that:
(a)
in relation to any notes which have a maturity of less than one year,
(i) it is a person whose ordinary activities involve it in acquiring,
holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the
purposes of its business and (ii) it has not offered or sold and will not
offer or sell any notes other than to persons whose ordinary activities involve
them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal
or as agent) for the purposes of their businesses or who it is reasonable to
expect will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of investments (as principal or
agent) for the purposes of their businesses where the issue of the notes would
otherwise constitute a contravention of Section 19 of the FSMA by SEK;
(b)
it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only
communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in
investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received
by it in connection with the issue or sale of any notes in circumstances in
which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us; and
(c)
it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the
FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to any notes in, from or
otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
S-25
Italy
Each agent has confirmed and agreed that no
prospectus has been nor will be published in Italy in connection with the
offering of the notes pursuant to the Prospectus Directive (Directive
2003/71/EC) and Italian securities legislation and, accordingly, each agent has
agreed that no notes have been offered, sold or delivered nor will be offered,
sold or delivered, nor any document relating to the notes has been nor will be
distributed in Italy, except:
(a)
to qualified investors (
investitori qualificati
), as defined
in Article 2, paragraph (e)(i) to (iii) of the Prospectus
Directive; or
(b)
in other circumstances which are exempted from the rules on public
offerings pursuant to Article 100 of Legislative Decree No. 58 of 24
February 1998, as amended (the Financial Services Act) and
Article 33, first paragraph, of Regulation no. 11971 of 14 May 1999,
as amended from time to time, of
Commissione Nazionale delle Società e della
Borsa
(the Italian Securities Exchange Commission, the CONSOB).
Insofar as the requirements above are based on
laws which are superseded at any time pursuant to the final implementation of
the Prospectus Directive in Italy, such requirements shall be replaced by the
applicable requirements under the relevant implementing measures of the
Prospectus Directive in Italy.
Any offer, sale or delivery of the notes or
distribution of any document relating to the notes in Italy under (a) or
(b) above must be:
(i)
made by an investment firm, bank or financial intermediary permitted to
conduct such activities in Italy in accordance with the Financial Services Act,
CONSOB Regulation No. 16190 of 29 October 2007, as amended from time
to time, and Legislative Decree No. 385 of 1 September 1993, as
amended (the Banking Act);
(ii)
in compliance with Article 129 of the Banking Act and the
implementing guidelines of the Bank of Italy, as amended from time to time,
pursuant to which the Bank of Italy may request information on the issue or the
offer of securities in the Republic of Italy; and
(iii)
in compliance with any other applicable laws and regulations or
requirement imposed by CONSOB or other Italian authority.
Article 100-bis of the Financial Services Act
affects the transferability of the notes in Italy to the extent that any placing
of the notes is made solely with qualified investors and such notes are then
systematically resold to non-qualified investors on the secondary market at any
time in the 12 months following such placing. Where this occurs, if has not been
published a prospectus compliant with the Prospectus Directive, purchasers of
notes who are acting outside of the course of their business or profession may
in certain circumstances be entitled to declare such purchase void and to claim
damages from any authorized person at whose premises the Notes were purchased,
unless an exemption provided for under the Financial Services Act
applies.
Hong Kong
The notes may not be offered or sold by means of
any document other than to persons whose ordinary business is to buy or sell
shares or debentures, whether as principal or agent, or in circumstances which
do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies
Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong, and no advertisement, invitation or document
relating to the notes may be issued, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is
directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the
public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of
Hong Kong) other than with respect to notes which are or are intended to be
disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional
investors within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571)
of Hong Kong and any rules made thereunder.
Singapore
This document has not been registered as a
prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this
document and any other document or material in connection with the offer or
sale, or invitation or subscription or purchase, of the notes may not be
circulated or distributed, nor may the notes be offered or sold, or be made the
subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or
indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than under circumstances in which such
offer, sale or invitation does not constitute an offer or sale, or invitation
for subscription or purchase, of the notes to the public in
Singapore.
Japan
The notes have not been and will not be registered
under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan (the Securities and Exchange Law)
and each agent has agreed that it will not offer or sell any notes, directly or
indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which
term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any
corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for
re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of
Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of,
and otherwise in compliance with, the Securities and Exchange Law and any other
applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.
S-26
France
Each agent has confirmed and agreed that no
prospectus (including any amendment, supplement or replacement thereto) has been
prepared in connection with the offering of the notes that has been approved by
the
Autorité des marchés financiers
or by the competent authority of
another State that is a contracting party to the Agreement on the European
Economic Area and notified to the
Autorité des marchés financiers
; no
notes have been offered or sold nor will be offered or sold, directly or
indirectly, to the public in France; the prospectus or any other offering
material relating to the notes have not been distributed or caused to be
distributed and will not be distributed or caused to be distributed to the
public in France; such offers, sales and distributions have been and shall only
be made in France to persons licensed to provide the investment service of
portfolio management for the account of third parties, qualified investors
(
investisseurs qualifiés
) and/or a restricted circle of investors
(
cercle restreint dinvestisseurs
), in each case investing for their own
account, all as defined in Articles L.411-2, D.411-1, D.411-2, D.411-4, D.734-1,
D.744-1, D.754-1 and D.764-1 of the
Code monétaire et financier.
The
direct or indirect distribution to the public in France of any so acquired notes
may be made only as provided by Articles L. 411-1, L. 411-2, L. 412-1 and L.
621-8 to L. 621-8-3 of the
Code monétaire et financier
and applicable
regulations thereunder.
Kingdom of Sweden
Each agent has confirmed and agreed and each
further agent appointed hereafter will be required to represent and agree that
it will not, directly or indirectly, offer for subscription or purchase or issue
invitations to subscribe for or buy or sell any notes or distribute any draft or
definitive document in relation to any such offer, invitation or sale
in Sweden except in circumstances that will not result in a
requirement to prepare a prospectus pursuant to the provisions of the Swedish
Financial Instruments Trading Act (Sw. Lag (1991:980)
om handel med
finansiella instrument
).
S-27
ANNEX A
[FORM OF PRICING
SUPPLEMENT] [This form may be modified as necessary for each issuance of
notes.]
PRICING
SUPPLEMENT
No. [ ]
(To Prospectus dated December 15, 2008 and
Prospectus Supplement dated December 15, 2008)
[Principal
Amount]
|
|
[Face
Amount]
|
AKTIEBOLAGET SVENSK EXPORTKREDIT (PUBL)
(Swedish Export Credit Corporation)
(Incorporated in Sweden
with limited liability)
[TITLE
OF ISSUE]
[MATURITY DATE]
[Issue
Price: [ ]]
Medium-Term Notes, Series E
Due Nine Months or More from Date of
Issue
The notes are issued by Aktiebolaget Svensk
Exportkredit (publ) (Swedish Export Credit Corporation). The notes will
mature on [MATURITY DATE]. [The notes will not be redeemable before
maturity except for tax reasons] [and] [will not be entitled to the benefit of
any sinking fund].
[Interest on the notes will be payable on each
[MONTH/DATE] and each [MONTH/DAY] and at maturity.]
[The notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange.]
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory
body has approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether this
pricing supplement or the related prospectus supplement and prospectus is
truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
|
|
Price to
Public
|
|
Discounts and
Commissions
|
|
Proceeds,
before
expenses
|
|
Per
Note
|
|
[ ]
|
%
|
[ ]
|
%
|
[ ]
|
%
|
Total
|
|
[ ]
|
|
[ ]
|
|
[ ]
|
|
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of
Securities To Be Registered
|
|
Amount To Be
Registered
|
|
Offering Price Per Unit
|
|
Aggregate
Offering Price
|
|
Amount of
Registration Fee
|
|
Debt
securities
|
|
U.S.$
|
[ ]
|
|
[ ]
|
%
|
U.S.$
|
[ ]
|
|
U.S.$
|
[ ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[If you purchase any of
the notes, you will also be required to pay accrued interest from [ISSUE DATE]
if we deliver the notes after that date.]
[AGENT[S]] expect to
deliver the notes to investors on or about [CLOSING DATE] [through the
facilities of [NAME OF DEPOSITARY].
[AGENT[S]]
The date of this pricing
supplement is [DATE].
A-1
ABOUT
THIS PRICING SUPPLEMENT
This pricing supplement is a supplement
to:
·
the accompanying prospectus supplement dated December 15, 2008
relating to an unlimited aggregate principal amount of our medium-term notes,
series E, due nine months or more from date of issue and
·
the accompanying prospectus dated December 15, 2008 relating to our
debt securities.
If the information in this pricing supplement
differs from the information contained in the prospectus supplement or the
prospectus, you should rely on the information in this pricing
supplement.
You should read this pricing supplement along with
the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus. All three documents
contain information you should consider when making your investment
decision. You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated
by reference in this pricing supplement, the prospectus and the prospectus
supplement. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with
different information. We and the purchasers are offering to sell the
notes and seeking offers to buy the notes only in jurisdictions where it is
lawful to do so. The information contained in this pricing supplement and
the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus is current only as of its
date.
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the
information we file with them. This means:
·
incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus;
·
we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those
documents;
·
information in this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes
information in earlier documents that are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus; and
·
information that we file with the SEC and which we incorporate by
reference in this prospectus will automatically update and supersede information
in this prospectus.
[We incorporate by reference the documents listed
below, which we filed with or furnished to the SEC under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934:
·
our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended
December 31, [YEAR], which we filed with the SEC on [DATE] [and]
·
[our report on Form 6-K, which we furnished to the SEC on
[DATE].]
We [also] incorporate by reference each of the
following documents that we will file with the SEC after the date of this
prospectus until we terminate the offering:
·
any report on Form 6-K filed by us pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that indicates on its cover or inside cover page that
we will incorporate it by reference in this prospectus; and
·
reports filed under Sections 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
You may request a copy of any filings referred to
above (excluding exhibits), at no cost, by contacting us at the following
address:
Aktiebolaget Svensk Exportkredit
(publ)
(Swedish Export Credit Corporation)
Västra Trädgårdsgatan 11B
10327 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel: +46-8-613-8300
A-2
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
We
will issue the notes under the indenture, as supplemented by the first
supplemental indenture, the second supplemental indenture and the third
supplemental indenture. The information contained in this section and in
the prospectus supplement and the prospectus summarizes some of the terms of the
notes and the indenture, as supplemented. This summary does not contain
all of the information that may be important to you as a potential investor in
the notes. You should read the indenture, the supplemental indentures and
the form of the notes before making your investment decision. We have
filed copies of these documents with the SEC and we have filed or will file
copies of these documents at the offices of the trustee and the paying
agent(s).
Aggregate Principal Amount:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Issue Price:
|
[
]%
|
|
|
Original Issue Date:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Maturity Date:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Specified Currency:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Authorized Denominations:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Form:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Interest Rate:
|
[Floating/[ ]% per
annum/Other]
|
|
|
Interest Payment Dates:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Regular Record Dates:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Floating Rate Notes:
|
|
|
|
Base Rate:
|
LIBOR
|
|
|
|
Commercial Paper Rate
|
|
|
|
Treasury Rate
|
|
|
|
CD Rate
|
|
|
|
Federal Funds Rate
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
Index Maturity:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Initial Interest Rate:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Spread (+/-) or Spread
Multiplier:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Interest Reset Dates:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Interest Determination Dates:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Maximum Interest Rate:
|
[Specify] [None;
provided
,
however
, that in no event will the interest rate be higher than the
maximum rate permitted by New York law, as modified by United States law
of general application]
|
|
|
Minimum Interest Rate:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Optional Redemption:
|
o
Yes
o
No
|
|
|
[Initial Redemption Date:]
|
[
]
|
|
|
Optional Repayment:
|
o
Yes
o
No
|
|
|
Indexed Note:
|
o
Yes
o
No
|
|
|
Foreign Currency Note:
|
o
Yes
o
No
|
|
|
Purchasers:
|
[
]
|
A-3
Purchase Price:
|
[
]%
|
|
|
[Net Proceeds, after Commissions, to
us:]
|
[
]
|
|
|
Closing Date:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Method of Payment:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Listing, if any:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Securities Codes:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Trustee:
|
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company,
N.A.
|
|
|
Paying Agent:
|
[
]
|
|
|
[Luxembourg Paying Agent:]
|
[
]
|
|
|
Calculation Agent:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Exchange Rate Agent:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Transfer Agent:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Further Issues:
|
We may from time to time, without the
consent of existing holders, create and issue further notes having the
same terms and conditions as the notes being offered hereby in all
respects, except for the issue date, issue price and, if applicable, the
first payment of interest thereon. Additional notes issued in this
manner will be consolidated with, and will form a single series with, the
previously outstanding notes.
|
|
|
Payment of Principal and
Interest:
|
[
]
|
|
|
Governing Law:
|
The notes will be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, New York law, except that matters relating to the
authorization and execution of the notes by us will be governed by the law
of Sweden. Furthermore, if the notes are at any time secured by
property or assets in Sweden, matters relating to the enforcement of such
security will be governed by the law of Sweden.
|
|
|
Further Information:
|
[
]
|
[OTHER]
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
[Describe distribution arrangements, if
applicable.] [[All] [A portion] of the Notes will be sold outside the United
States.]
A-4
Prospectus
|
|
|
AKTIEBOLAGET SVENSK EXPORTKREDIT
(PUBL)
(Swedish Export Credit Corporation)
(Incorporated in
Sweden with limited liability)
Debt
Securities
Index Warrants
We, Aktiebolaget Svensk Exportkredit (publ), also
known as Swedish Export Credit Corporation, or SEK, may from time to time offer
and sell our debt securities and index warrants in amounts, at prices and on
terms to be determined at the time of sale and provided in supplements to this
prospectus. We may sell debt securities and index warrants having an
unlimited aggregate initial offering price or aggregate principal amount in the
United States. The debt securities will constitute direct, unconditional
and unsecured indebtedness of SEK and will rank equally in right of payment
among themselves and with all our existing and future unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness. The debt securities and the index warrants
will not be obligations of the Kingdom of Sweden.
We may sell the debt securities and index warrants
directly, through agents designated from time to time or through
underwriters. The names of any agents or underwriters will be provided in
the applicable prospectus supplement(s).
You should read this prospectus and any
supplements carefully. You should not assume that the information in this
prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference
in either of them is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of
such documents.
The
debt securities and index warrants will be obligations of SEK. No other
company or entity will be responsible for payments under the debt securities or
index warrants.
The debt securities and index warrants will not
be guaranteed by any other company or entity. No other entity or company
will be liable to holders of the debt securities and index warrants in the event
SEK defaults thereunder. The debt securities and index warrants will not
be obligations of, or guaranteed by, the Kingdom of Sweden or any internal
division or agency thereof, and will be subject, entirely and exclusively, to
the credit risk of SEK itself. The value of debt securities and index
warrants may be adversely affected by changes in SEKs credit ratings or credit
spreads applicable to SEKs debt.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory
body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is
a criminal offense.
The date of this
prospectus is December 15, 2008
ABOUT
THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus provides you with a general
description of the debt securities and index warrants we may offer. Each
time we sell debt securities and index warrants, we will provide one or more
prospectus supplements (which may include pricing supplements) that will contain
specific information about the terms of that offering. Such prospectus
supplements (including pricing supplements) may also add, update or change
information contained in this prospectus. If the information in this
prospectus differs from any prospectus supplement (including any pricing
supplement), you should rely on the information in the prospectus
supplement. You should read both this prospectus and the accompanying
prospectus supplement together with additional information described below under
the heading Where You Can Find More Information.
INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION WE FILE WITH THE SEC
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the
information we file with them. This means:
·
incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus;
·
we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those
documents;
·
information in this prospectus automatically updates and supersedes
information in earlier documents that are incorporated by reference in this
prospectus; and
·
information that we file with the SEC and which we incorporate by
reference in this prospectus will automatically update and supersede information
in this prospectus.
We incorporate by reference:
·
our annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2007, which we filed with the SEC on April 1, 2008 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except for the report of KPMG AB appearing
on page F-1 thereof;
·
Amendment No. 1 to our annual report on Form 20-F for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, which we filed with the SEC on
December 12, 2008; and
·
our reports on Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on January 22,
February 19, April 9, May 14, July 7, August 15,
October 23 and October 31, 2008 under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (except for the Auditor Review Reports contained on pages 21 and 22 of
our report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on May 14, 2008,
pages 24 and 25 of our report on Form 6-K furnished to the SEC on
August 15, 2008 and page 29 of our report on Form 6-K furnished
to the SEC on October 31, 2008, which Auditor Review Reports shall not be
so incorporated by reference).
We also incorporate by reference each of the
following documents that we will file with the SEC after the date of this
prospectus until we terminate the offering:
·
any report on Form 6-K filed by us pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 that indicates on its cover or inside cover page that
we will incorporate it by reference in this prospectus (or any part of any such
report that is indicated on the cover or inside cover page thereof to be
incorporated by reference in this prospectus); and
·
reports filed under Sections 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
You may request a copy of any filings referred to
above (excluding exhibits), at no cost, by contacting us at the following
address:
Aktiebolaget Svensk Exportkredit
(publ)
(Swedish Export Credit Corporation)
Västra Trädgårdsgatan
11B
10327 Stockholm, Sweden
Tel: +46-8-613-8300
3
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The following documents relating to our debt
securities may contain forward-looking statements:
·
this prospectus;
·
any prospectus supplement;
·
any pricing supplement to a prospectus supplement; and
·
the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any
prospectus supplement or pricing supplement.
Certain of the statements contained in these
documents may be statements of future expectations and other forward-looking
statements that are based on our managements views and assumptions and involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results,
performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in
such statements. In addition to statements, which are forward-looking by
reason of context, the words may, will, should, plan, intend,
anticipate, believe, estimate, potential, or continue and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements. Actual results,
performance or events may differ materially from those expressed in such
statements due to, without limitation:
·
general economic conditions, including in particular economic conditions
and markets,
·
the performance of financial and commodities markets, as well as of
individual securities and commodities and related indices,
·
interest rates,
·
currency exchange rates,
·
changing levels of competition,
·
changes in laws and regulations,
·
changes in the policies of central banks and/or governments, and
·
general competitive factors,
in each case on a local, regional, national and/or
global basis. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking
information contained in these documents.
ENFORCEMENT OF LIABILITIES; SERVICE OF PROCESS
We are a public limited liability company
incorporated in Sweden, and all of our directors and executive officers and the
experts named herein are residents of countries other than the United
States. A substantial portion of our assets and all or a substantial
portion of the assets of such persons are located outside the United
States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for investors to
effect service of process within the United States upon such persons or to
realize against them or us upon judgments of courts of the United States
predicated upon civil liabilities under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the Securities Act). We have been advised by our Swedish
counsel, Advokatfirman Vinge KB, that there is doubt as to the enforceability of
claims in Sweden in respect of liabilities predicated solely upon the Securities
Act, whether or not such claims are based upon judgments of United States
courts. We have consented to service of process in The City of New York
for claims based upon the indenture (as discussed below) and the debt securities
we may offer.
4
PROSPECTUS SUMMAR
Y
General
This summary provides you with a brief overview of
key information concerning SEK. This summary also provides you with a
brief summary of the material terms of the debt securities and index warrants we
may offer, to the extent we know these material terms on the date of this
prospectus. For a more complete understanding of the terms of the offered
debt securities and index warrants, and before making your investment decision,
you should carefully read:
·
this remainder of this prospectus, which explains the general terms of
the debt securities and index warrants we may offer pursuant to this
prospectus;
·
any prospectus supplement, which (1) explains the specific terms of
the debt securities and index warrants being offered and (2) updates and
changes information in this prospectus; and
·
the documents referred to below under Where You Can Find More
Information.
Swedish
Export Credit Corporation
We, Swedish Export Credit Corporation, are a
public stock corporation wholly owned by the Kingdom of Sweden through the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Our objective is to engage in financing activities
that are directly related to Swedish exports of goods and services or otherwise
promote Swedish commerce and industry, especially the export sector, by
providing competitive long-term credit. We extend credit on commercial
terms at prevailing market rates, which we call the M-system, and on
state-supported terms, which we call the S-system.
The following table contains certain of our key
financial figures as of the dates and for the periods specified, as computed
under Swedish generally accepted accounting principles (Swedish GAAP) (in the
case of 2005 figures) and International Financial Reporting Standards as issued
by the International Accounting Standard Board (IFRS) (in the case of 2006 and
2007 figures):
|
|
As of or for the Year Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2007(1)
|
|
2006(1)
|
|
2005(2)
|
|
|
|
(in millions of Skr)
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
297,259.2
|
|
245,215.1
|
|
207,493.2
|
|
Total shareholders
funds
|
|
4,496.5
|
|
4,250.7
|
|
3,738.7
|
|
Net
income(3)
|
|
353.0
|
|
355.5
|
|
346.9
|
|
(1) Presented in accordance with
IFRS.
(2) Presented in accordance with
Swedish GAAP.
(3) Exclusive of the
S-system.
Our principal executive office is located at
Västra Trädgårdsgatan 11B, 10327 Stockholm, Sweden. Our telephone number
is (+46) 8-613-8300.
Recent Developments
On November 10, 2008, the Swedish government
proposed to the Swedish parliament that the Swedish parliament authorize the
Swedish government to provide up to Skr 3 billion in new equity funding to SEK
and, in connection therewith, to transfer to SEK the Swedish states 100% equity
interest in the consolidated group having the parent company Venantius AB (such
group, Venantius). Such proposal was approved by the Swedish parliament
on November 19, 2008. The Swedish government then decided, on
November 20, 2008 to provide to SEK Skr 3 billion in new equity financing
and to transfer to SEK 100% of its shares in Venantius.
The Skr 3 billion in new equity is expected to be
paid by the state to SEK before the end of 2008. The entire share capital
of Venantius is also expected to be transferred by the state to SEK before the
end of 2008.
Venantius was established by the Swedish state,
based on a parliamentary decision in 1995, as a credit market company, and was
created in order to manage certain housing loans entailing a particularly high
risk of credit losses. In 1996 and 1997, this mandate was broadened, based on
parliamentary decisions, to also encompass certain real-estate-related credits
to municipally-owned housing companies, and assets related to the Swedish
states efforts to strengthen the Swedish banking system in the early 1990s,
respectively. The objective of Venantius has been to responsibly manage the
above-mentioned assets. Since 2007, Venantius has been financed only by its own
equity, i.e., Venantius has had no external borrowing. Consequently, in 2007
Venantius was reclassified from a credit market company to a financial
institution, registered with the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, though
not supervised by it.
5
According to Venantius 2007 annual report,
prepared in accordance with Swedish GAAP, which contains the most recent
financial information publicly disclosed by Venantius, as of December 31,
2007, Venantius had total consolidated equity of Skr 2,783.1 million and total
consolidated provisions and liabilities of Skr 96.4 million, in each case under
Swedish GAAP. Assets classified as loans amounted to Skr 1,328.5 million
under Swedish GAAP. According to the proposal for the distribution of
profits included in the same report, an amount of Skr 300 million was proposed
to be paid as a dividend to the (government) shareholder. According to the CEO
certification attached to such report, the shareholder approved this dividend.
The actual impact of the Venantius transaction on SEKs capitalization and
financial condition can only be assessed after the transaction has closed. SEK
cannot provide any assurance that the equity funding provided by the Swedish
state will in fact be provided or that Venantius liabilities will not be larger
(or the amount of its shareholders funds smaller) than those reflected in
Venantius 2007 annual report.
In connection with the foregoing, SEK expects to
hold an extraordinary shareholders meeting on December 17, 2008 to obtain
shareholder approval for a Skr 3 billion capital increase.
Further, on December 4, 2008, the Swedish
government proposed to the Swedish parliament that it authorize the Swedish
government to provide to SEK a liquidity facility amounting to not more than Skr
100 billion, and to provide to SEK the possibility to purchase state guarantees
for its borrowings. In both cases, SEK would pay a commercial fee.
This proposal reflects the importance to the
Swedish economy of the Swedish export sector. The success of Swedish export
industries is very dependent on access to long-term financing. Under
normal circumstances, international banks play an important role in this
financing, together with SEK. The present uncertainty and distress in the
global economy and, particularly, disruptions in the financial and credit
markets, have highlighted the need for immediate and reliable access to funding
for Swedish exporters. SEKs role and mission is to secure access to such
financing.
The purpose of the proposed liquidity facility
would be to increase SEKs capacity to immediately and continually provide
financing for new export credits without contravening SEKs funding and
liquidity policies. The purpose of the proposed state guarantees would be
to make it possible for SEK to provide, in cases when deemed necessary by SEK,
explicit state guarantees for particular borrowings. Such guarantees might
be necessary due to changing behavior in the international capital markets,
whereby many bond issuers, especially banks, are now expected to be supported by
different state guarantee schemes.
Further and as a separate matter, the Swedish
Financial Supervisory Authority determined on December 11, 2008 to amend the
capital adequacy regulations for Swedish financial institutions with immediate
effect. The amendment allows financial institutions to take into account 30
percent (compared with the previous 15 percent) of certain hybrid securities in
Tier-1 capital. The amendment is in line with what is already possible in other
countries within the European Union.
The
Debt Securities We May Offer
We may use this prospectus to offer an unlimited
amount of debt securities.
We will issue the debt securities under an
indenture, dated as of August 15, 1991, as supplemented by a first
supplemental indenture dated as of June 2, 2004, a second supplemental
indenture dated as of January 30, 2006 and a third supplemental indenture
dated October 23, 2008 (together with the first supplemental indenture and
the second supplemental indenture, the supplemental indentures), each between
us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (directly or as the
successor in interest to another party), which serves as the trustee
thereunder. The indenture provides that the debt securities may be issued
at one time, or from time to time, in one or more series.
The debt securities will be our direct,
unconditional and unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness for borrowed money. The
debt securities will not be obligations of Kingdom of Sweden.
The prospectus supplement relating to any series
of debt securities will specify the terms of such debt securities.
General Indenture Provisions that Apply to the Debt
Securities.
·
The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be
issued thereunder or under any other debt instrument.
·
The indenture allows for different types of debt securities, such as
fixed rate securities, floating rate securities and indexed securities, to be
issued in one or more series. The indenture permits us to issue debt
securities in book-entry and certificated form.
·
The indenture permits us to issue debt securities in currencies other
than U.S. dollars.
·
The indenture allows us to merge or consolidate with another Swedish
company, or convey all or substantially all of our assets to another Swedish
company, so long as the transaction would not result in an event of
default. If any such transaction occurs, the other company would be
required to assume our obligations under the debt securities and the
indenture. We would be released from all liabilities under the debt
securities and the indenture when the other company assumed our
responsibilities.
·
The indenture permits us to elect to redeem the debt securities of any
series upon the occurrence of a change in Swedish tax law requiring us to
withhold amounts payable on the debt securities in respect of Swedish taxes and,
as a result, to pay additional amounts.
·
The indenture provides that the holders of a majority of the principal
amount of the debt securities outstanding in any series may vote to change our
obligations or your rights concerning those debt securities. However,
changes to the financial terms of a debt security, including changes to the
stated maturity date of any principal or interest, reductions in the principal
amount or rate of interest or changing the place for payment of interest, cannot
be made unless every holder of that security consents.
·
The indenture permits us to satisfy our payment obligations under any
series of debt securities at any time by depositing with the trustee sufficient
amounts of cash or U.S. government securities to pay our obligations under such
series when due.
6
Events
of Default
The indenture specifies that the following shall
constitute events of default with respect to the debt securities of any
series:
·
default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on any debt security
of such series when due;
·
default for 15 days in the payment of any principal or premium in respect
of any debt security of such series when due;
·
default for 15 days in the deposit of any sinking fund payment in respect
of any debt security of such series when due;
·
default in the performance of any other covenant in the indenture (other
than a covenant expressly included in the indenture solely for the benefit of
debt securities of a series other than such series) that has continued for 30
days after written notice thereof by the trustee or the holders of 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such
series;
·
default resulting in the acceleration of the maturity of any of our other
indebtedness for borrowed money having an aggregate principal or face amount in
excess of U.S.$10,000,000; and
·
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
The holders of a majority of the principal amount
of outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of all holders of
outstanding debt securities of such series, waive a past event of default.
However, no such waiver is permitted for a default in payment of principal,
premium or interest in respect of any debt security of such series.
The
Index Warrants We May Offer
We may issue index warrants independently or
together with debt securities (including as debt security and index warrant
units). We will issue any series of index warrants under a warrant
agreement between SEK, as the issuer, and a bank or trust company, as the
warrant agent. You are encouraged to read the standard form of the warrant
agreement, which is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which
this prospectus forms a part.
Index warrants are securities that, when properly
exercised by the purchaser, entitle the purchaser to receive from SEK an amount
in cash or a number of securities that will be indexed to prices, yields, or
other specified measures or changes in an index or differences between two or
more indices.
The prospectus supplement for a series of index
warrants will describe the formula for determining the amount in cash or number
of securities, if any, that we will pay you when you exercise an index warrant
and will contain information about the relevant underlying assets and other
specific terms of the index warrant.
We will generally issue index warrants in
book-entry form, which means that they will not be evidenced by physical
certificates. Also, we will generally list index warrants for trading on a
national securities exchange, such as the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq
Stock Markets National Market, the American Stock Exchange or the Chicago Board
Options Exchange.
The warrant agreement for any series of index
warrants will provide that holders of a majority of the total amount of the
index warrants outstanding in any series may vote to change their rights
concerning those index warrants (following the proposal of such a change by
SEK). However, changes to fundamental terms such as the amount or manner
of payment on an index warrant or changes to the exercise times may not be made
unless every holder affected consents to the change.
Any prospective purchasers of index warrants
should be aware of special United States federal income tax considerations
applicable to instruments such as the index warrants. The prospectus
supplement relating to each series of index warrants will describe the important
tax considerations.
We may also issue debt security and index warrant
units consisting of debt securities and index warrants. The applicable
prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any debt security and index
warrant units.
Ratios
of Earnings to Fixed Charges
The following table shows the ratios of our
earnings to fixed charges (exclusive of the S-system), as computed under Swedish
GAAP (in the case of the 2005, 2004 and 2003 figures) and IFRS (in the case of
the 2006 and 2007 figures):
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges(1) for the Year ended December 31,
|
|
2007(2)
|
|
2006(2)
|
|
2005(3)
|
|
2004(3)
|
|
2003(3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
1.07
|
|
1.10
|
|
1.14
|
|
1.16
|
|
(1)
|
|
For the purpose of calculating ratios of
earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of net profit for the year,
plus taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expenses,
including borrowing costs, exclusive of the S-system.
|
(2)
|
|
Presented in accordance with
IFRS.
|
(3)
|
|
Presented in accordance with Swedish
GAAP.
|
The ratio of earnings to fixed charges, computed
in accordance with IFRS, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was
1.07. In 2005, 2004 and 2003, the ratio of earnings computed in accordance
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) differed from
the Swedish GAAP figure presented above. The U.S. GAAP figures were 0.59,
1.34 and 1.22 in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. In 2005, under U.S.
GAAP, Earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges by Skr 2,120.1
million.
7
USE OF
PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus
supplement, we will use the net proceeds from the sale of debt securities for
general business purposes.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets out our unaudited
consolidated capitalization as of September 30, 2008, and as adjusted as of
October 31, 2008 to reflect securities issued during the month of October.
This table should be read in conjunction with the financial statements referred
to elsewhere in this document.
|
|
As of
September 30, 2008
|
|
Adjusted as
of
October
31, 2008(1)(2)
|
|
|
|
(Skr millions)
|
|
(Skr millions)
|
|
Senior debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
|
|
192,671.3
|
|
198,460.1
|
|
Short-term
|
|
88,935.5
|
|
114,841.5
|
|
Total senior
debt(3)(4)
|
|
281,606.8
|
|
313,301.6
|
|
Subordinated debt:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term
|
|
3,312.3
|
|
3,312.3
|
|
Short-term
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total subordinated
debt(3)(4)
|
|
3,312.3
|
|
3,312.3
|
|
Equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-distributable capital:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
capital(5) (990,000 shares issued and paid-up, par value Skr 1,000
made up of 640,000 Class A shares and 350,000 Class B
shares)
|
|
990.0
|
|
990.0
|
|
Fair value
reserves
|
|
(208.2
|
)
|
(208.2
|
)
|
Total
non-distributable capital
|
|
781.8
|
|
781.8
|
|
Distributable capital:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
3,675.0
|
|
3,675.0
|
|
Net profit for the
period
|
|
392.0
|
|
392.0
|
|
Total distributable
capital
|
|
4,067.0
|
|
4,067.0
|
|
Total
equity
|
|
4,848.8
|
|
4,848.8
|
|
Total capitalization (sum of senior debt, subordinated debt and
equity)
|
|
289,767.9
|
|
321,462.7
|
|
(1)
|
|
Between October 1 and October 31,
2008, SEK issued new short-term senior securities in an aggregate
principal amount of Skr 25,906.0 million and new long-term senior
securities in an aggregate principal amount of Skr 5,788.8 million. No
subordinated securities were issued and no other financial debt was
incurred between October 1 and October 31, 2008. The table has
not been adjusted to reflect the retirement or amortization of any debt
between September 30, 2008 and October 31, 2008. Nor has equity been
adjusted to show changes between September 30, 2008 and October 31,
2008.
|
|
|
|
(2)
|
|
On November 10, 2008, the Swedish
government proposed to the Swedish parliament that the Swedish parliament
authorize the Swedish government to provide up to Skr 3 billion in new
equity funding to SEK and, in connection therewith, to transfer to SEK the
Swedish states 100% equity interest in the consolidated group having the
parent company Venantius AB (such group, Venantius). Such proposal was
approved by the Swedish parliament on November 19, 2008. The Swedish
government then decided, on November 20, 2008 to provide to SEK Skr 3
billion in new equity financing and to transfer to SEK 100% of its shares
in Venantius. The Skr 3 billion in new equity is expected to be paid by
the state to SEK before the end of 2008. The entire share capital of
Venantius is also expected to be transferred by the state to SEK before
the end of 2008. Venantius was established by the Swedish state, based on
a parliamentary decision in 1995, as a credit market company, and was
created in order to manage certain housing loans entailing a particularly
high risk of credit losses. In 1996 and 1997, this mandate was broadened,
based on parliamentary decisions, to also encompass certain
real-estate-related credits to municipally-owned housing companies, and
assets related to the Swedish states efforts to strengthen the Swedish
banking system in the early 1990s, respectively. The objective of
Venantius has been to responsibly manage the above-mentioned assets. Since
2007, Venantius has been financed only by its own equity, i.e., Venantius
has had no external borrowing. Consequently, in 2007 Venantius was
reclassified from a credit market company to a financial institution,
registered with the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority, though not
supervised by it. According to Venantius 2007 annual report, prepared in
accordance with Swedish GAAP, which contains the most recent
financial information publicly disclosed by Venantius, as of
December 31, 2007, Venantius had total consolidated equity of Skr
2,783.1 million and total consolidated provisions and liabilities of Skr
96.4 million, in each case under Swedish GAAP. Assets classified as loans
amounted to Skr 1,328.5 million under Swedish GAAP. According to the
proposal for the distribution of profits included in the same report, an
amount of Skr 300 million was proposed to be paid as a dividend to the
(government) shareholder. According to the CEO certification attached to
such report, the shareholder approved this dividend. The actual impact of
the Venantius transaction on SEKs capitalization and financial condition
can only be assessed after the transaction has closed. SEK cannot provide
any assurance that the equity funding provided by the Swedish state will
in fact be provided or that Venantius liabilities will not be larger (or
the amount of its shareholders funds smaller) than those reflected in
Venantius 2007 annual report. In connection with the foregoing, SEK
expects to hold an extraordinary shareholders meeting on December 17,
2008 to obtain shareholder approval for a Skr 3 billion capital
increase.
|
|
|
|
(3)
|
|
At September 30, 2008, our consolidated
group had no contingent liabilities. Other than that disclosed herein, we
had no other indebtedness as at September 30, 2008.
|
|
|
|
(4)
|
|
Unguaranteed and unsecured.
|
|
|
|
(5)
|
|
In accordance with our Articles of
Association, SEKs share capital shall be neither less than Skr 700
million nor more than Skr 2,800 million.
|
Except for such matters as are disclosed or
referred to in the footnotes to the table above, there has been no material
change in SEKs capitalization, indebtedness, contingent liabilities and
guarantees since September 30, 2008.
8
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description of the terms of the debt
securities sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the debt
securities to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular
terms of the debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement and the
extent, if any, to which the following general provisions may apply to the debt
securities so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to
such debt securities.
The debt securities will be issued under an
indenture, dated as of August 15, 1991, as supplemented by a first
supplemental indenture dated as of June 2, 2004 a second supplemental
indenture dated as of January 30, 2006 and a third supplemental indenture
dated as of October 23, 2008 (together with the first supplemental
indenture and the second supplemental indenture, the supplemental indentures),
each between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (directly or
as the successor in interest to another party), which serves as the trustee
thereunder. We have filed the indenture and each of the supplemental
indentures as exhibits to, or incorporated them by reference in, the
registration statement. The statements under this caption include brief
summaries of the material provisions of the indenture as supplemented do not
purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by
reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture and the supplemental
indentures including the definitions in those documents of certain terms.
Numerical references in parentheses below are to sections of the
indenture. Whenever we refer in this document or in a prospectus
supplement to particular sections of, or defined terms in, the indenture, we
intend to incorporate by reference such sections or defined terms.
General
The debt securities offered by this prospectus
will be in an unlimited aggregate amount or initial public offering price or
purchase price. The indenture provides that we may issue debt securities
in an unlimited amount thereunder from time to time in one or more series.
We may originally issue the debt securities of a series all at one time or from
time to time and, unless otherwise provided, we may reopen any outstanding
series of debt securities from time to time to issue additional debt securities
of such series.
(Section 301)
The debt securities will rank equally with all of
our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness for borrowed money.
(Section 1011)
We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to
any particular series of debt securities for the terms of such debt securities,
including, where applicable:
(i)
the designation and maximum aggregate principal or face amount, if any,
of such debt securities;
(ii)
the price (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate principal or face
amount thereof) at which we will issue such debt securities;
(iii)
the date or dates on which such debt securities will mature;
(iv)
the currency or currencies in which we are selling such debt securities
and in which we will make payments of any principal, premium or interest in
respect of such debt securities, and whether the holder of any such debt
security may elect the currency in which such payments are to be made and, if
so, the manner of such election;
(v)
the rate or rates (which may be fixed, variable or zero) at which
such debt securities will bear interest, if any;
(vi)
the date or dates from which any interest on such debt securities will
accrue, the date or dates on which such interest will be payable and the date or
dates on which payment of such interest will commence;
(vii)
our obligation, if any, to redeem, repay or purchase such debt
securities, in whole or in part, pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities, and the periods
within which or the dates on which, the prices at which and the terms and
conditions upon which such debt securities shall be redeemed, repaid or
purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
(viii)
the periods within which or the dates on which, the prices at which
and the terms and conditions upon which such debt securities may be redeemed, if
any, in whole or in part, at our option or otherwise;
(ix)
whether we will issue such debt securities in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities and, if so, the identity of the depository
for such global security or securities and the terms and conditions, if any,
upon which you may exchange interests in such global security or securities in
whole or in part for individual debt securities;
(x)
whether we will issue any such debt securities as indexed securities
(as defined below) and, if so, the manner in which the principal (or face
amount) thereof or interest thereon or both, as the case may be, shall be
determined, and any other terms in respect thereof;
(xi)
whether we will issue any such debt securities as discount securities
(as defined below) and, if so, the portion of the principal amount thereof that
shall be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity
thereof in respect of the occurrence of an event of default and the continuation
thereof;
(xii)
any additional restrictive covenants or events of default provided
with respect to such debt securities; and any other terms of such debt
securities.
(Section 301)
9
We may issue debt securities of a series in whole
or in part in the form of one or more global securities, as described below
under Global Securities.
If we are required to pay any principal, premium
or interest in respect of debt securities of any series in a currency other than
U.S. dollars or in a composite currency, we will describe the restrictions,
elections, federal income tax consequences, specific terms and other information
with respect to such debt securities and such currency in the prospectus
supplement relating thereto.
We use the term discount security to mean any
debt security (other than a principal indexed security) that provides for an
amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof in respect of the occurrence
of an event of default and the continuation thereof.
(Section 101)
We will describe the United Stated federal income tax
consequences and other special considerations applicable to any discount
securities in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, we use the term indexed security to mean any debt
security that provides that the amount of principal (a principal-indexed
security) or interest (an interest-indexed security), or both, payable in
respect thereof shall be determined by reference to an index based on a currency
or currencies or on the price or prices of one or more commodities or
securities, by reference to changes in the price or prices of one or more
currencies, commodities or securities or otherwise by application of a
formula.
(Section 101)
We will describe the United States
federal income tax consequences and other special considerations with respect to
any indexed securities in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.
Unless the prospectus supplement relating thereto
specifies otherwise, we will issue any registered securities denominated in U.S.
dollars only in denominations of U.S.$1,000 or integral multiples thereof.
We will issue one or more global securities in a denomination or aggregate
denominations equal to the aggregate principal or face amount of the outstanding
debt securities of the series to be represented by such global security or
securities.
(Sections 302 and 303)
Exchanges and Transfers
At the option of the holder thereof upon request,
confirmed in writing, and subject to the terms of the indenture, registered
securities of any series (other than a global security, except as set forth
below) will be exchangeable into an equal aggregate principal amount (or, in the
case of any principal indexed security, face amount) of registered securities of
such series of like tenor, but with different authorized denominations (unless
otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement or related pricing
supplement). Holders may present registered securities for exchange, and
may present registered securities (other than a global security, except as
provided below) for transfer (with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly
executed), at the office of the security registrar or any transfer agent or
other agency we designate for such purpose, without service charge and upon
payment of any taxes and other governmental charges as described in the
indenture. The transfer or exchange will be effected when we and the
security registrar or the transfer or other agent are satisfied with the
documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We have
appointed the trustee as the initial security registrar.
(Section 305)
In the event of any redemption in part of the
registered securities of any series, we shall not be required:
·
during the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the
day on which notice of such redemption is mailed and ending at the close of
business on the day of such mailing, to issue, register the transfer of or
exchange any registered security of such series having the same original issue
date and terms as the registered securities called for redemption, or
·
to register the transfer of or exchange any registered security, or
portion thereof, called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any
registered security we are redeeming in part.
(Section 305)
Global
Securities
We may issue the debt securities of a series in
whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that we will
deposit with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the prospectus
supplement relating to such series. We may issue global securities in
registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and
until it is exchanged in whole or in part for individual debt securities, a
global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depository for
such global security to a nominee of such depository or by a nominee of such
depository to such depository or another nominee of such depository or by such
depository or any such nominee to a successor of such depository or a nominee of
such successor.
(Sections 303 and 305)
We will describe the specific terms of the
depository arrangement with respect to the debt securities of any series in the
prospectus supplement relating to such series. We anticipate that
provisions similar to the following will apply to such depository
arrangements:
·
Upon the issuance of a global security, the depository for such global
security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal amounts (or, in the case of principal indexed securities,
face amounts) of the debt securities represented by such global security to the
accounts of institutions that have accounts with such depository
(participants).
·
The accounts to be credited shall be designated by the underwriters or
agents with respect to such debt securities, or by us if we offer and sell such
debt securities directly. Only participants or persons that hold interests
through participants will own beneficial interests in a global security.
Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be shown on, and the
transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by
participants or persons that hold through participants. The laws of some
states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of
such securities. These laws and limitations on ownership may impair the
ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
10
·
So long as the depository for a global security, or its nominee, is the
owner of such global security, such depository or such nominee, as the case may
be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the individual debt
securities represented by such global security for all purposes under the
indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a
global security will not be entitled to have any of the individual debt
securities represented by such global security registered in their names, will
not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such individual
debt securities and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under
the indenture.
(Section 305)
·
Subject to any restrictions that may be set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement, any principal, premium or interest payable in respect of
debt securities registered in the name of or held by a depository or its nominee
will be paid to the depository or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner or holder of the global security representing such debt
securities.
·
None of the trustee for such debt securities, any paying agent, the
security registrar for such debt securities or us will have any responsibility
or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on
account of beneficial ownership interests in any global security representing
such debt securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records
relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
(Section 308)
·
We expect that the depository for debt securities of a series, upon
receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest in respect of a
definitive global security, will immediately credit participants accounts with
payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
the principal amount of such global security as shown on the records of such
depository. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of
beneficial interests in such global security held through such participants will
be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, and will be the
responsibility of such participants. Receipt by owners of beneficial
interests in a temporary global security of payments in respect of such
temporary global security may be subject to restrictions. We will describe
any such restrictions in the applicable prospectus supplement.
·
If the depository for debt securities of a series is at any time
unwilling or unable to continue as depository and we do not appoint a successor
depository within ninety days, we will issue individual debt securities of such
series in exchange for the global security or securities representing such debt
securities. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion
determine that debt securities of a series issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more global securities shall no longer be represented by such
global security or securities and, in such event, we will issue individual debt
securities of such series in exchange for the global security or securities
representing such debt securities. In any such instance, an owner of a
beneficial interest in a global security will be entitled to physical delivery
of individual debt securities of the series represented by such global security
equal in aggregate principal amount (or in the case of any principal-indexed
securities, face amount) to such beneficial interest and, if the debt securities
of such series are issuable as registered securities, to have such debt
securities registered in its name. If the debt securities of such series
are issuable as registered securities, then we will issue individual debt
securities of such series as described in the foregoing sentence. Any such
individual debt securities will be issued as registered securities in
denominations, unless we otherwise specify, of U.S.$1,000 and integral
multiples thereof.
(Sections 302 and 305)
Payment
and Paying Agents
We will make payment of any principal or premium
in respect of registered securities against surrender of such registered
securities at the office of the trustee or its designee in the Borough of
Manhattan, The City of New York. Unless otherwise indicated in the
applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of any installment of
interest on any registered security to the person in whose name such registered
security is registered (which, in the case of a global security, will be the
depository or its nominee) at the close of business on the regular record date
for such interest payment;
provided, however,
that any interest payable
at maturity will be paid to the person to whom any principal is paid.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, payments in
respect of registered securities will be made in the currency designated for
payment at the office of such paying agent or paying agents as we may appoint
from time to time, except that any such payment may be made by check mailed to
the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears in the security
register, by wire transfer to an account designated by such person or by any
other means acceptable to the trustee and specified in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
(Section 307)
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, we will appoint the office of the trustee or its designee
in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as our sole paying agent for
payments in respect of the debt securities of any series that are issuable
solely as registered securities. Any other paying agent we initially
appoint for the debt securities of a series will be named in the applicable
prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional paying
agents or terminate the appointment of any paying agent or approve a change in
the office through which any paying agent acts, except that we will maintain at
least one paying agent in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, for
payments in respect of registered securities.
(Section 1002)
Any payment we are required to make in respect of
a debt security at any place of payment on a date that is not a business day
need not be made at such place of payment on such date, but may be made on the
first succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on such
date, and no additional interest shall accrue as a result of such delayed
payment.
(Section 113)
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, we use the term business day with respect to any place
of payment or other location, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday that is a day on which commercial banks in such place of payment or other
location are generally open for business or, when used with respect to any Place
of Payment with respect to any Debt Securities denominated in Euro, means any date on which the
Trans-European Automated Gross Settlement Express Transfer System (TARGET) is
operating credit or transfer instructions in respect of payments in Euro.
(Section 101)
11
All moneys we pay to a paying agent for the
payment of any principal, premium or interest in respect of any debt security
that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or
interest shall have become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder
of such debt security will thereafter look only to us for payment thereof.
(Section 1003)
We will make any payments of principal, premium or
interest in respect of any debt security without deduction or withholding for or
on account of any present or future taxes, assessments or other governmental
charges imposed on such debt security or the holder thereof, or by reason of the
making of any such payment, by Sweden or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable
prospectus supplement, if we are required by law to make any such deduction or
withholding, we will pay such additional amounts as may be necessary so that
every net payment in respect of such debt security paid to the holder thereof
will not be less than the amount provided for in such debt security and in the
indenture, to be then due and payable;
provided
that:
·
such holder is not otherwise liable to taxation in Sweden in respect of
such payment by reason of any relationship with or activity within Sweden other
than his ownership of such debt security or his receiving payment in respect
thereof; and
·
no such additional amount will be paid:
·
with respect to any debt security if the holder thereof is able to avoid
such withholding by making a declaration of non-residence or other similar claim
for exemption to the relevant tax authority, or
·
where the withholding or deduction is imposed on a payment to an
individual and is required to be made pursuant to the European Union Directive
on the taxation of savings adopted June 3, 2003 (implementing the
conclusions of the Economics and Financial Council meeting of
November 26-27, 2000) or any law implementing or complying with, or
introduced in order to conform to, such Directive. (Section 1007)
Negative Pledge
So long as any debt securities are outstanding, we
will not and will not permit any Subsidiary (as defined in the indenture) to
secure or allow to be secured any indebtedness for money borrowed now or
hereafter existing by any mortgage, lien (other than a lien arising by operation
of law), pledge, charge or other encumbrance upon any of our or any Subsidiarys
present or future revenues or assets (except for any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge or other encumbrance on property purchased by us or any Subsidiary as
security for all or part of the purchase price thereof) without at the same time
affording the debt securities the same or equivalent security therefor.
(Section 1010)
Consolidation, Merger and Transfer of Assets
We may not consolidate with or merge into, or
convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to, any person, and may not permit any person to consolidate with or merge into,
or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an
entirety to, us, unless:
(i)
in the event that we consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer
or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any person,
such person is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of Sweden and
such person expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under
the indenture;
(ii)
immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default
and no event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event
of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(iii)
certain other conditions are met.
(Section 801)
Modification of the Indenture
The indenture permits us and the trustee, with the
consent of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount (or, in
the case of any principal-indexed security, face amount) of the outstanding debt
securities affected thereby, to execute a supplemental indenture modifying the
indenture or the rights of the holders of such debt securities;
provided
that no such modification shall, without the consent of the holder of each debt
security affected thereby:
·
change the stated maturity of any principal or interest in respect of any
debt security, or reduce the principal amount (or, in the case of any
principal-indexed security, face amount) thereof, or reduce the rate or change
the time of payment of any interest thereon, or change the manner in which the
amount of any payment of any principal, premium or interest in respect of any
indexed security is determined, or change any place of payment or change the
currency in which a debt security is payable or affect the right of any holder
to institute suit for the enforcement of payment in accordance with the
foregoing; or
·
reduce the aforesaid percentage of principal amount (or, in the case of
any principal-indexed security, face amount) of debt securities, the consent of
the holders of which is required for any such modification.
(Section 902)
12
Events
of Default
The indenture provides that the following shall
constitute events of default with respect to the debt securities of any
series:
(i)
default for 30 days in the payment of any interest on any debt security
of such series when due;
(ii)
default for 15 days in the payment of any principal or premium in respect
of any debt security of such series when due;
(iii)
default for 15 days in the deposit of any sinking fund payment in respect
of any debt security of such series when due;
(iv)
default in the performance of any other covenant in the indenture (other
than a covenant expressly included in the indenture solely for the benefit of
debt securities of a series other than such series) that has continued for 30
days after written notice thereof by the trustee or the holders of 25% in
aggregate principal amount (or, in the case of any principal indexed security,
face amount) of the outstanding debt securities of such series;
(v)
default resulting in the acceleration of the maturity of any of our other
indebtedness for borrowed money having an aggregate principal or face amount in
excess of U.S.$ 10,000,000; and
(vi)
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.
(Section 501)
We are required to file with the trustee annually
a certificate of our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or
principal accounting officer stating whether we have complied with all
conditions and covenants under the indenture.
(Section 1008)
The indenture provides that if an event of default
with respect to the debt securities of any series at the time outstanding shall
occur and be continuing, either the trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate
principal amount (or, in the case of any principal-indexed security, face
amount) of the outstanding debt securities of such series may declare the
principal amount (or, in the case of any discount securities or indexed
securities, such portion of the principal amount thereof as may be specified in
the terms thereof) of all such debt securities together with any accrued but
unpaid interest, to be due and payable immediately.
(Section 502)
In certain cases, the holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount (or, in the case of any principal-indexed security,
face amount) of the outstanding debt securities of any series may, on behalf of
the holders of all such debt securities, waive any past default or event of
default, with certain exceptions, including for any default not previously cured
in payment of any principal, premium or interest in respect of the debt
securities of such series.
(Sections 502 and 513)
The indenture contains a provision entitling the
trustee, subject to the duty of the trustee during default to act with the
required standard of care, to be indemnified by the holders of the debt
securities of any series before proceeding to exercise any right or power under
the indenture with respect to such series at the request of such holders.
(Section 603)
The indenture provides that no holder of any debt
security of any series may institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, to
enforce the indenture, except in the case of failure of the trustee, for 60
days, to act after the trustee is given notice of default, a request to enforce
the indenture by the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount
(or, in the case of any principal-indexed security, face amount) of the then
outstanding debt securities of such series and an offer of reasonable indemnity
to such trustee.
(Section 507)
This provision will not prevent
any holder of debt securities from enforcing payment of any principal, premium
or interest in respect thereof at the respective due dates for such
payments.
(Section 508)
The holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount (or, in the case of any principal-indexed security, face
amount) of the outstanding debt securities of any series may direct the time,
method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the
trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect
to the debt securities of such series. However, the trustee may refuse to
follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture, or which would be
unjustly prejudicial to holders not joining in such action.
(Section 512)
The indenture provides that the trustee will,
within 90 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to the debt
securities of any series known to the trustee, give to the holders of debt
securities of such series notice of such default if not cured or waived, but,
except in the case of a default in the payment of any principal, premium or
interest in respect of any debt securities, the trustee may withhold such notice
if it determines in good faith that withholding such notice is in the interests
of the holders of such debt securities.
(Section 602)
Defeasance
If so specified in the prospectus supplement
relating to the debt securities of any series, we may terminate certain of our
obligations under the indenture with respect to all or a portion of such debt
securities, on the terms and subject to the conditions contained in the
indenture, by depositing in trust with the trustee money or U.S. government
securities sufficient to pay any principal, premium or interest in respect of
such debt securities to stated maturity. It is a condition to such deposit
and termination that we deliver:
(i)
an opinion of independent United States tax counsel that the holders of
such debt securities will have no United States federal income tax consequences
as a result of such deposit and termination; and
(ii)
if such debt securities are then listed on any national securities
exchange, an opinion of counsel that such debt securities will not be delisted
as a result of the exercise of this option.
13
Such termination will not relieve us of our
obligation to pay when due any principal, premium or interest in respect of such
debt securities if such debt securities are not paid from the cash or U.S.
government securities held by the trustee for the payment thereof.
(Section 1301)
Optional Redemption Due to Change in Swedish Tax Treatment
In addition to any redemption provisions that may
be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities of any
series, if, at any time subsequent to the issuance of debt securities of any
series, any tax, assessment or other governmental charge shall be imposed by
Sweden or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, as a
result of which we shall become obligated under the indenture to pay any
additional amount in respect of any debt security of such series (the
determination as to whether payment of such additional amount would be required
on account of such debt security being made by us on the basis of the evidence
in our possession in respect of the interest payment date or other payment date
immediately preceding the date of such determination and on the basis of the
treaties and laws in effect on the date of such determination or, if we so
elect, those to become effective on or before the first succeeding interest
payment date or other payment date), then we shall have the option to redeem
such debt security and all other debt securities of such series having the same
original issue date and terms as such debt security, as a whole, at any time
(except that debt securities that bear interest at a floating rate shall only be
redeemable on an interest payment date). Any such redemption shall be at a
redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, together with
accrued interest, if any, to the redemption date (except in the case of discount
securities and indexed securities, which may be redeemed at the redemption price
specified in such securities);
provided, however,
that at the time notice
of any such redemption is given, our obligation to pay such additional amount
shall remain in effect.
(Section 1108)
Governing Law
The indenture, the supplemental indentures and the
debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law
of the State of New York, except that matters relating to our authorization and
execution of the indenture, the supplemental indentures and the debt securities
shall be governed by the law of Sweden. If the debt securities are at any
time secured by property or assets in Sweden, matters relating to such security
and the enforcement thereof in Sweden, shall be governed by the law of
Sweden.
(Section 112)
Consent
To Service
Under the Indenture, we have irrevocably
designated the Consulate General of Sweden in The City of New York as our
authorized agent under the indenture for service of process in any legal action
or proceeding arising out of or relating to the indenture, the supplemental
indentures, the debt securities, the index warrants or any warrant agreement
brought in any federal or State court in The City of New York. Under the
Indenture, we have irrevocably submitted to the jurisdiction of such courts in
any such action or proceeding.
(Section 115)
Other
Relationships with the Trustee
We maintain banking relationships in the ordinary
course of business with the trustee.
Note
Regarding Foreign Currencies
Notwithstanding any other provision of the
indenture, (i) other than with respect to bearer securities, holders
requesting or receiving payments in any currency other than U.S. dollars for any
reason must provide wire transfer instructions to the trustee for an account in
the relevant currency not less than 15 calendar days prior to the first relevant
date of payment, and (ii) we must consult with the trustee regarding the
appropriateness of any exchange rate agent and/or paying agent for each series
of debt securities denominated in, or subject to redenomination into, a currency
other than U.S. dollars.
14
DESCRIPTION OF INDEX WARRANTS
The following briefly summarizes the material
terms and provisions of the index warrants, other than pricing and related terms
to be disclosed in one or more prospectus supplements. You should read the
particular terms of the index warrants that are offered by SEK, which will be
described in more detail in such supplements. The prospectus supplements
will also state whether any of the general provisions summarized below do not
apply to any particular index warrants being offered.
Index warrants may be issued independently or
together with debt securities and may be attached to or separate from any such
offered securities. Each series of index warrants will be issued under a
warrant agreement to be entered into between SEK, as the issuer, and a bank or
trust company, as the warrant agent. A single bank or trust company may
act as warrant agent for more than one series of index warrants. Each
warrant agent will act solely as the agent of SEK under the applicable warrant
agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust
for or with any owners of the index warrants. A copy of the form of
warrant agreement, including the form of global certificate that may represent
the index warrants of any series, is filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should read the more
detailed provisions of the form of warrant agreement and the index warrant
certificate for provisions that may be important to you.
General
The form of warrant agreement does not limit the
number of index warrants that may be issued. SEK will have the right to
reopen an existing series of index warrants by issuing additional index
warrants of the series.
Each index warrant will entitle the warrant holder
to receive cash or securities from SEK upon exercise. The amount in cash
or number of securities will be determined by referring to an index or formula
calculated on the basis of prices, yields, levels or other specified objective
measures in respect of:
·
specified securities or securities indices;
·
specified foreign currencies or currency indices;
·
intangibles;
·
articles or goods;
·
any other financial, economic or other measure or instrument, including
the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event or circumstance;
·
a combination thereof; or
·
changes in such measure or differences between two or more such
measures.
The prospectus supplement for a series of index
warrants will describe the formula or methodology to be applied to the relevant
index, indices, intangibles, articles, goods or other measures or instruments to
determine the amount payable or distributable on the index warrants.
If so specified in connection with a particular
offering of index warrants, the index warrants will entitle the warrant holder
to receive from SEK a minimum or maximum amount upon automatic exercise at
expiration or the happening of any other event described in the prospectus
supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in connection with a
particular offering of index warrants, the index warrants will be deemed to be
automatically exercised upon expiration. Upon an automatic exercise,
warrant holders will be entitled to receive the cash amount or number of
securities due, if any, on an exercise of the index warrants.
You should read the prospectus supplement
applicable to any series of index warrants for any circumstances in which the
payment or distribution or the determination of the payment or distribution on
the index warrants may be postponed or exercised early or cancelled. The
amount due after any such delay or postponement, or early exercise or
cancellation, will be described in the applicable prospectus
supplement.
Unless otherwise specified in connection with a
particular offering of index warrants, we will not purchase or take delivery of
or sell or deliver any securities or currencies, including the underlying
assets, other than the payment of any cash or distribution of any securities due
on the index warrants, from or to warrant holders pursuant to the index
warrants.
The applicable prospectus supplement relating to
any series of index warrants will describe the following:
·
the aggregate number of index warrants;
·
the offering price of the index warrants;
·
the measure or measures by which payment or distribution on the index
warrants will be determined;
·
certain information regarding the underlying securities, foreign
currencies, indices, intangibles, articles or good or other measure or
instrument;
15
·
the amount of cash or number of securities due, or the means by which the
amount of cash or number of securities due may be calculated, on exercise of the
index warrants, including automatic exercise, or upon cancellation, as well as
the means of delivery of such cash or securities to warrant holders;
·
the date on which the index warrants may first be exercised and the date
on which they expire;
·
any minimum number of index warrants exercisable at any one time;
·
any maximum number of index warrants that may, at SEKs election, be
exercised by all warrant holders or by any person or entity on any day;
·
any provisions permitting a warrant holder to condition an exercise of
index warrants;
·
the method by which the index warrants may be exercised;
·
the formula for determining the cash settlement value of each index
warrant;
·
the currency in which the index warrants will be denominated and in which
payments on the index warrants will be made or the securities that may be
distributed in respect of the index warrants;
·
the method of making any foreign currency translation applicable to
payments or distributions on the index warrants;
·
the method of providing for a substitute index or indices or otherwise
determining the amount payable in connection with the exercise of index warrants
if an index changes or is no longer available;
·
the time or times at which amounts will be payable or distributable in
respect of the index warrants following exercise or automatic exercise;
·
any national securities exchange on which, or self-regulatory
organization with which, the index warrants will be listed;
·
any provisions for issuing the index warrants in certificated form;
·
if the index warrants are not issued in book-entry form, the place or
places at, and the procedures by which, payments or distributions on the index
warrants will be made; and
·
any other terms of such index warrants.
Prospective purchasers of index warrants should be
aware of special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to
instruments such as the index warrants. The prospectus supplement relating
to each series of index warrants will describe these tax considerations.
The summary of United States federal income tax considerations contained in the
prospectus supplement will be presented for informational purposes only,
however, and will not be intended as legal or tax advice to prospective
purchasers. You are urged to consult your tax advisors before purchasing
any index warrants.
Listing
Unless otherwise specified in connection with a
particular offering of index warrants, the index warrants will be listed on a
national securities exchange or with a self-regulatory organization, in each
case as specified in the prospectus supplement. It is expected that such
organization will stop trading a series of index warrants as of the close of
business on the related expiration date of those index warrants.
Modification
Each applicable warrant agreement and the terms of
the related index warrants may be amended by SEK and the warrant agent, without
the consent of the holders of any index warrants, for any of the following
purposes:
·
curing any ambiguity or curing, correcting or supplementing any defective
or inconsistent provision;
·
maintaining the listing of the index warrants on any national securities
exchange or with any other self-regulatory organization;
·
registering the index warrants under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of
1934;
·
permitting the issuance of individual index warrant certificates to
warrant holders;
·
reflecting the issuance by us of additional index warrants of the same
series or reflecting the appointment of a successor agent or depositary; or
·
for any other purpose which we may deem necessary or desirable and which
will not materially and adversely affect the interests of the warrant
holders.
16
We and the warrant agent also may modify or amend
the warrant agreement and the terms of the related index warrants, with the
consent of the holders of not less than a majority of the then outstanding
warrants of each series affected by such modification or amendment, for any
purpose. However, no such modification or amendment may be made without
the consent of each holder affected thereby if such modification or
amendment:
·
changes the amount to be paid to the warrant holder or the manner in
which that amount is to be determined;
·
shortens the period of time during which the index warrants may be
exercised;
·
otherwise materially and adversely affects the exercise rights of the
holders of the index warrants; or
·
reduces the percentage of the number of outstanding index warrants the
consent of whose holders is required for modification or amendment of the
warrant agreement or the terms of the related index warrants.
Merger,
Consolidation, Sale or Other Disposition
If at any time there is a merger or consolidation
involving SEK or a sale, transfer, conveyance, other than lease, or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of SEK, then the assuming
corporation will succeed to the obligations of SEK, under each warrant agreement
and the related index warrants. SEK will then be relieved of any further
obligation under the warrant agreements and index warrants and may then be
dissolved, wound up or liquidated.
Enforceability of Rights by Warrant Holders
Any warrant holder may, without the consent of the
warrant agent or any other warrant holder, enforce by appropriate legal action
on its own behalf its right to exercise, and to receive payment for, its index
warrants.
Governing Law
The index warrants and each warrant agreement will
be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New
York, except that matters relating to our authorization and execution of the
warrants and the warrant agreements shall be governed by the law of
Sweden. If the warrants are at any time secured by property or assets in
Sweden, matters relating to such security and the enforcement thereof in Sweden,
shall be governed by the law of Sweden.
17
SWEDISH
TAXATION
Except where otherwise stated, the following
summary outlines certain Swedish tax consequences relating to the debt
securities for prospective purchasers that are not considered to be Swedish
residents for Swedish tax purposes. This summary is based on the laws of
the Kingdom of Sweden as in effect on the date of this document. These
laws are subject to change, possibly on retroactive basis. Prospective
purchasers are urged to consult their professional tax advisors regarding the
Swedish and other tax consequences (including the applicability and effect of
double taxation treaties) of acquiring, owning and disposing of debt securities
in their particular circumstances.
Payments of any principal or interest to the
holder of a debt security should not be subject to Swedish income tax, provided
that such holder is not resident in Sweden for Swedish tax purposes and provided
further that such holder does not have a permanent establishment or fixed base
in Sweden to which the notes are effectively connected.
Private individuals who are not resident in Sweden
for tax purposes may, however, be liable to capital gains taxation in Sweden
upon disposal or redemption of certain financial instruments that are deemed
equity-related, depending on the classification of the particular financial
instrument for Swedish income tax purposes, if they have been resident in the
Sweden or have stayed permanently in Sweden at any time during the calendar year
of disposal or redemption or the ten calendar years preceding the year of
disposal or redemption.
Swedish withholding tax, or Swedish tax deduction,
is not imposed on payments of any principal or interest to the holder, except on
certain payments of interest to private individuals (or estates of deceased
individuals) with residence in Sweden for tax purposes.
Generally, for Swedish corporations and private
individuals (and estates of deceased individuals) with residence in Sweden for
tax purposes, all capital income (e.g., interest and capital gains on a note)
will be taxable. Specific tax consequences, however, may be applicable to
certain categories of corporations, such as investment companies and life
insurance companies.
Information concerning the Swedish tax
consequences of holding or disposing of index warrants will be provided in the
applicable prospectus supplements.
18
PLAN OF
DISTRIBUTION
Terms
of Sale
We will describe the terms of a particular
offering of debt securities or index warrants in the applicable prospectus
supplement, including the following:
·
the name or names of any underwriters or agents;
·
the purchase price of the debt securities or index warrants;
·
the proceeds to us from the sale;
·
any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters
compensation;
·
any initial public offering price of the debt securities or index
warrants;
·
any concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and
·
any securities exchanges on which such debt securities or index warrants
may be listed.
Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating
in a sale of debt securities or index warrants may be considered to be
underwriters under the Securities Act. Furthermore, any discounts or
commissions received by them may be considered to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act. We have agreed to indemnify any
agents and underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act. The agents and underwriters may also be entitled to
contribution from us for payments they make relating to these
liabilities.
Method
of Sale
We may sell the debt securities or index warrants
in any of three ways:
·
through underwriters or dealers;
·
directly to one or more purchasers; or
·
through agents.
If we use underwriters in a sale, they will
acquire the debt securities or index warrants for their own account and may
resell them in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a
fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of
sale. We may offer the debt securities or index warrants to the public
either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or
directly through underwriters. The obligations of the underwriters to
purchase a particular offering of debt securities or index warrants may be
subject to conditions. The underwriters will also be obligated to purchase
all the debt securities or index warrants of an issue if any are
purchased. Any initial public offering price or any concessions allowed or
re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed. Please see Expenses below
for a description of our expected expenses in the offering of debt securities
and warrants.
We may also sell the debt securities or index
warrants directly or through agents. Any agent will be named and any
commissions payable to the agent by us will be set forth in the applicable
prospectus supplement. Any agent will act on a reasonable best efforts
basis for the period of its appointment unless the applicable prospectus
supplement states otherwise.
We may authorize underwriters or dealers to
solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase a particular offering of debt
securities or index warrants at the public offering price set forth in the
applicable prospectus supplement (a pricing supplement) using delayed delivery
contracts. These contracts provide for payment and delivery on one or more
specified dates in the future. The applicable prospectus supplement will
describe the commission payable for solicitation and the terms and conditions of
these contracts.
Agents and underwriters may be customers of,
engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course
of business. Agents and underwriters may also be counterparties to swaps,
which we enter into to hedge our obligations under the debt securities and index
warrants. There may be certain conflicts of interest between agents and
underwriters that act as swap counterparties and investors in the debt
securities and index warrants.
19
EXCHANGE CONTROLS AND OTHER LIMITATIONS AFFECTING SECURITY
HOLDERS
No approvals are necessary under Swedish law to
enable us, at the times and in the manner provided or to be provided in the debt
securities and index warrants we may offer, or in the indenture or any
applicable warrant agreement, to acquire and transfer out of Sweden all amounts
necessary to pay in full all amounts payable thereunder, and no approval of
Sveriges Riksbank would be required for prepayment of any debt securities or
upon any index warrants. Under Swedish law and our articles of
association, there are no limitations on the right of persons who are not
residents of Sweden or persons who are not citizens of Sweden to own or hold the
debt securities and index warrants offered hereby.
VALIDITY OF THE DEBT SECURITIES
The following persons will give opinions regarding
the validity of the debt securities and index warrants:
·
For us
: Advokatfirman Vinge KB; and
·
For the underwriters and agents, if any
: Cleary Gottlieb
Steen & Hamilton LLP.
As to all statements in this prospectus with
respect to Swedish law, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP will rely
on the opinion of Advokatfirman Vinge KB.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has
provided legal services to us from time to time, including in connection with
the establishment of this debt securities and index warrants program.
AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
Our authorized representative in the United States
is the Consulate General of Sweden, One Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, 885 Second
Avenue, 45th Floor, New York, New York.
EXPENSES
The table below sets forth the estimated expenses
to be paid by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of an assumed
aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000,000 of debt securities. The
assumed amount has been used to demonstrate the expenses of an offering and does
not represent an estimate of the amount of debt securities or index warrants
that may be registered or distributed because such amount is unknown at this
time.
Legal fees and
expenses
|
|
U.S.$
|
200,000
|
|
Accounting fees and
expenses
|
|
100,000
|
|
Printing and
engraving expenses
|
|
50,000
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
200,000
|
|
Total
|
|
U.S.$
|
550,000
|
|
As a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in
Rule 405 under the Securities Act), upon each offering of debt securities
or index warrants made under this prospectus we will pay a registration fee to
the Securities and Exchange Commission at the prescribed rate. We will
offset against these fees an aggregate amount of U.S.$16,664.49 representing
registration fees placed on account in respect of our previous Registration
Statement on Form F-3 (No. 333-131369). We expect that the
agents or underwriters through which our debt securities and index warrants are
offered and sold will reimburse us for the registration fees we pay. As a
result, we have not included such fees in the above table.
20
EXPERTS
The financial statements
of Aktiebolaget Svensk Exportkredit (Swedish Export Credit Corporation) as of
December 31, 2007 and 2006 and for each of the years in the two-year period
ended December 31, 2007
have been incorporated by reference herein
in reliance upon the report dated March 27, 2008 (except for with respect to
Note 30 of the financial statements, in respect of which the report is as of
December 12, 2008) of KPMG AB, independent registered public accounting firm,
incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts
in accounting and auditing.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus is part of a registration
statement on Form F-3 that we have filed with the SEC using a shelf
registration process. This prospectus does not contain all of the
information provided in the registration statement. For further
information, you should refer to the registration statement.
We file reports and other information with the
SEC. You can request copies of these documents, upon payment of a
duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. You may also read and copy these
documents at the SECs public reference room in Washington, D.C. at 100 F
Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further
information on its public reference rooms, including those in New York and
Chicago. Our SEC filings are also available on the SECs website at
http://www.sec.gov.
21
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
AKTIEBOLAGET SVENSK EXPORTKREDIT (Publ)
(Swedish Export Credit Corporation)
Reverse Exchangeable Securities with Contingent Downside Protection
$18,062,000 10.50% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Apple Inc. due November 10, 2010
$8,166,000 13.00% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Baker Hughes Incorporated due November 10, 2010
$16,028,000 10.50% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Bank of America Corporation due November 10, 2010
$11,127,000 12.50% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Chesapeake Energy Corporation due November 10, 2010
$4,577,000 12.25% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. due November 10, 2010
$8,042,000 13.50% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common stock
of Las Vegas Sands Corporation due August 10, 2010
$6,741,000 14.25% Enhanced Yield Securities linked to the common shares
of Research In Motion Limited due November 10, 2010
Wells Fargo Securities
Swedish Export Credit Accel (NYSE:AQD)
Graphique Historique de l'Action
De Jan 2025 à Fév 2025
Swedish Export Credit Accel (NYSE:AQD)
Graphique Historique de l'Action
De Fév 2024 à Fév 2025