This pricing supplement, which is not complete and may be changed, relates to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933. This pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these Notes in any country or jurisdiction where such an offer would not be permitted.
Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
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•
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The Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF, due February 3, 2028 (the “Notes”) are expected to price on January 31, 2025 and expected to issue on February 5, 2025.
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•
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Approximate 3 year term if not called prior to maturity.
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•
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Payments on the Notes will depend on the individual performance of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF (each an “Underlying”).
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•
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Contingent coupon rate of 10.50% per annum (0.875% per month) payable monthly if the Observation Value of each Underlying on the applicable Observation Date is greater than or equal to 80.00% of its Starting Value, assuming the Notes have not been called.
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•
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Beginning with the July 31, 2025 Call Observation Date, automatically callable quarterly for an amount equal to the principal amount plus the relevant Contingent Coupon Payment, if the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to 100.00% of its Starting Value on any Call Observation Date.
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•
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Assuming the Notes are not called prior to maturity, if either Underlying declines by more than 20% from its Starting Value, at maturity your investment will be subject to 1:1 downside exposure to decreases in the value of the Least Performing Underlying beyond a 20% decline, with up to 80% of the principal at risk; otherwise, at maturity, you will receive the principal amount. At maturity you will also receive a final Contingent Coupon Payment if the Observation Value of each Underlying on the final Observation Date is greater than or equal to 80.00% of its Starting Value.
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•
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All payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance LLC (“BofA Finance” or the “Issuer”), as issuer of the Notes, and Bank of America Corporation (“BAC” or the “Guarantor”), as guarantor of the Notes.
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•
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The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange.
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The initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $922.30 and $962.30 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes, which is less than the public offering price listed below. The actual value of your Notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-10 of this pricing supplement and “Structuring the Notes” on page PS-25 of this pricing supplement for additional information.
There are important differences between the Notes and a conventional debt security. Potential purchasers of the Notes should consider the information in “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-10 of this pricing supplement, page PS-5 of the accompanying product supplement, page S-6 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, and page 7 of the accompanying prospectus.
None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Public offering price(1)
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Underwriting discount(1)(2)
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Proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance(2)
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Per Note
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$1,000.00
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$5.00
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$995.00
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Total
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(1)
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Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forgo some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these fee-based advisory accounts may be as low as $995.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
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(2)
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The underwriting discount per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes may be as high as $5.00, resulting in proceeds, before expenses, to BofA Finance of as low as $995.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
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The Notes and the related guarantee:
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Are Not FDIC Insured
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Are Not Bank Guaranteed
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May Lose Value
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
Terms of the Notes
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Issuer:
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BofA Finance
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Guarantor:
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BAC
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Denominations:
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The Notes will be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000.00 and whole multiples of $1,000.00 in excess thereof.
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Term:
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Approximately 3 years, unless previously automatically called.
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Underlyings:
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The Russell 2000® Index (Bloomberg symbol: “RTY”), a price return index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF (Bloomberg symbol: “SMH”).
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Pricing Date*:
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January 31, 2025
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Issue Date*:
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February 5, 2025
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Valuation Date*:
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January 31, 2028, subject to postponement as described under “Description of the Notes—Certain Terms of the Notes—Events Relating to Observation Dates” in the accompanying product supplement.
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Maturity Date*:
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February 3, 2028
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Starting Value:
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With respect to the RTY, its closing level on the pricing date.
With respect to the SMH, its Closing Market Price on the pricing date.
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Observation Value:
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With respect to the RTY, its closing level on the applicable Observation Date or Call Observation Date, as applicable.
With respect to the SMH, its Closing Market Price on the applicable Observation Date or Call Observation Date, as applicable, multiplied by its Price Multiplier.
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Ending Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, its Observation Value on the Valuation Date.
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Call Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, 100.00% of its Starting Value.
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Price Multiplier:
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With respect to the SMH, 1, subject to adjustment for certain events relating to that Underlying as described in “Description of the Notes — Anti-Dilution and Discontinuance Adjustments Relating to ETFs” beginning on page PS-28 of the accompanying product supplement.
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Coupon Barrier:
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With respect to each Underlying, 80.00% of its Starting Value.
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Threshold Value:
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With respect to each Underlying, 80.00% of its Starting Value.
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Contingent Coupon Payment:
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If, on any monthly Observation Date, the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier, we will pay a Contingent Coupon Payment of $8.75 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes (equal to a rate of 0.875% per month or 10.50% per annum) on the applicable Contingent Payment Date (including the Maturity Date).
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Automatic Call:
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Beginning with the July 31, 2025 Call Observation Date, all (but not less than all) of the Notes will be automatically called if the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Call Value on any Call Observation Date. If the Notes are automatically called, the Early Redemption Amount will be paid on the applicable Call Payment Date. No further amounts will be payable following an Automatic Call.
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Early Redemption Amount:
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For each $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes, $1,000.00, plus the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment.
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Redemption Amount:
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If the Notes have not been automatically called prior to maturity, the Redemption Amount per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes will be:
a) If the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Threshold Value:
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-2
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
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b) If the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Threshold Value:
In this case, the Redemption Amount (excluding any final Contingent Coupon Payment) will be less than the principal amount and you could lose up to 80.00% of your investment in the Notes.
The Redemption Amount will also include a final Contingent Coupon Payment if the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier.
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Observation Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-4
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Contingent Payment Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-4
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Call Observation Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-6
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Call Payment Dates*:
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As set forth beginning on page PS-6. Each Call Payment Date is also a Contingent Payment Date.
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Calculation Agent:
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BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”), an affiliate of BofA Finance.
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Selling Agent:
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BofAS
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CUSIP:
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09711FQQ3
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Underlying Return:
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With respect to each Underlying,
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Least Performing Underlying:
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The Underlying with the lowest Underlying Return.
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Events of Default and Acceleration:
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If an Event of Default, as defined in the senior indenture relating to the Notes and in the section entitled “Description of Debt Securities of BofA Finance LLC—Events of Default and Rights of Acceleration; Covenant Breaches” on page 54 of the accompanying prospectus, with respect to the Notes occurs and is continuing, the amount payable to a holder of the Notes upon any acceleration permitted under the senior indenture will be equal to the amount described under the caption “Redemption Amount” above, calculated as though the date of acceleration were the Maturity Date of the Notes and as though the Valuation Date were the third Trading Day prior to the date of acceleration. We will also determine whether a final Contingent Coupon Payment is payable based upon the values of the Underlyings on the deemed Valuation Date; any such final Contingent Coupon Payment will be prorated by the calculation agent to reflect the length of the final contingent payment period. In case of a default in the payment of the Notes, whether at their maturity or upon acceleration, the Notes will not bear a default interest rate.
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* Subject to change.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-3
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
Observation Dates, Contingent Payment Dates, Call Observation Dates and Call Payment Dates
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Observation Dates*
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Contingent Payment Dates
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February 28, 2025
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March 5, 2025
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March 31, 2025
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April 3, 2025
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April 30, 2025
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May 5, 2025
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June 2, 2025
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June 5, 2025
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June 30, 2025
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July 3, 2025
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July 31, 2025
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August 5, 2025
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September 2, 2025
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September 5, 2025
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September 30, 2025
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October 3, 2025
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October 31, 2025
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November 5, 2025
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December 1, 2025
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December 4, 2025
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December 31, 2025
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January 6, 2026
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February 2, 2026
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February 5, 2026
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March 2, 2026
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March 5, 2026
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March 31, 2026
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April 6, 2026
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April 30, 2026
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May 5, 2026
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June 1, 2026
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June 4, 2026
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June 30, 2026
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July 6, 2026
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July 31, 2026
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August 5, 2026
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August 31, 2026
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September 3, 2026
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September 30, 2026
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October 5, 2026
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November 2, 2026
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November 5, 2026
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November 30, 2026
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December 3, 2026
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December 31, 2026
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January 6, 2027
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February 1, 2027
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February 4, 2027
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March 1, 2027
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March 4, 2027
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March 31, 2027
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April 5, 2027
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April 30, 2027
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May 5, 2027
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June 1, 2027
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June 4, 2027
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June 30, 2027
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July 6, 2027
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August 2, 2027
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August 5, 2027
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August 31, 2027
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September 3, 2027
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September 30, 2027
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October 5, 2027
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November 1, 2027
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November 4, 2027
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-4
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
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Observation Dates*
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Contingent Payment Dates
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November 30, 2027
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December 3, 2027
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December 31, 2027
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January 5, 2028
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January 31, 2028 (the “Valuation Date”)
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February 3, 2028 (the “Maturity Date”)
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* The Observation Dates are subject to postponement as set forth in “Description of the Notes—Certain Terms of the Notes—Events Relating to Observation Dates” beginning on page PS-23 of the accompanying product supplement.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-5
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|
Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
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Call Observation Dates*
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Call Payment Dates
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July 31, 2025
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August 5, 2025
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October 31, 2025
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November 5, 2025
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February 2, 2026
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February 5, 2026
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April 30, 2026
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May 5, 2026
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July 31, 2026
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August 5, 2026
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November 2, 2026
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November 5, 2026
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February 1, 2027
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February 4, 2027
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April 30, 2027
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May 5, 2027
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August 2, 2027
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August 5, 2027
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November 1, 2027
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November 4, 2027
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* The Call Observation Dates are subject to postponement as set forth in “Description of the Notes—Certain Terms of the Notes—Events Relating to Observation Dates” beginning on page PS-23 of the accompanying product supplement, with references to “Observation Dates” being read as references to “Call Observation Dates.”
Any payments on the Notes depend on the credit risk of BofA Finance, as Issuer, and BAC, as Guarantor, and on the performance of the Underlyings. The economic terms of the Notes are based on BAC’s internal funding rate, which is the rate it would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements BAC’s affiliates enter into. BAC’s internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate it would pay when it issues conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount, if any, and the hedging related charges described below (see “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-10), will reduce the economic terms of the Notes to you and the initial estimated value of the Notes. Due to these factors, the public offering price you pay to purchase the Notes will be greater than the initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date.
The initial estimated value range of the Notes is set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement. The final pricing supplement will set forth the initial estimated value of the Notes as of the pricing date. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the Notes, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-10 and “Structuring the Notes” on page PS-25.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-6
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
Contingent Coupon Payment and Redemption Amount Determination
On each Contingent Payment Date, if the Notes have not been previously called, you may receive a
Contingent Coupon Payment per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes determined as follows:
Assuming the Notes have not been automatically called, on the Maturity Date, you will receive a cash payment per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes determined as follows:
All payments described above are subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance, as Issuer, and BAC, as Guarantor.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-7
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
Total Contingent Coupon Payment Examples
The table below illustrates the hypothetical total Contingent Coupon Payments per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes over the term of the Notes, based on the Contingent Coupon Payment of $8.75, depending on how many Contingent Coupon Payments are payable prior to an Automatic Call or maturity. Depending on the performance of the Underlyings, you may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments during the term of the Notes.
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Number of Contingent Coupon Payments
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Total Contingent Coupon Payments
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|
0
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$0.00
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2
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$17.50
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|
4
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$35.00
|
|
6
|
$52.50
|
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8
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$70.00
|
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10
|
$87.50
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12
|
$105.00
|
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14
|
$122.50
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16
|
$140.00
|
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18
|
$157.50
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20
|
$175.00
|
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22
|
$192.50
|
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24
|
$210.00
|
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26
|
$227.50
|
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28
|
$245.00
|
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30
|
$262.50
|
|
32
|
$280.00
|
|
34
|
$297.50
|
|
36
|
$315.00
|
|
|
CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-8
|
|
Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at Maturity
Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Table
The following table is for purposes of illustration only. It assumes the Notes have not been automatically called prior to maturity and is based on hypothetical values and shows hypothetical returns on the Notes. The table illustrates the calculation of the Redemption Amount and the return on the Notes based on a hypothetical Starting Value of 100 for the Least Performing Underlying, a hypothetical Coupon Barrier of 80 for the Least Performing Underlying, a hypothetical Threshold Value of 80 for the Least Performing Underlying, the Contingent Coupon Payment of $8.75 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes and a range of hypothetical Ending Values of the Least Performing Underlying. The actual amount you receive and the resulting return will depend on the actual Starting Values, Coupon Barriers, Threshold Values, Observation Values and Ending Values of the Underlyings, whether the Notes are automatically called prior to maturity, and whether you hold the Notes to maturity. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the Notes.
For recent actual values of the Underlyings, see “The Underlyings” section below. The Ending Value of each Underlying will not include any income generated by dividends or other distributions paid with respect to shares or units of that Underlying or on the securities included in that Underlying, as applicable. In addition, all payments on the Notes are subject to Issuer and Guarantor credit risk.
|
Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying
|
Underlying Return of the Least Performing Underlying
|
Redemption Amount per Note (including any final Contingent Coupon Payment)
|
Return on the Notes(1)
|
|
160.00
|
60.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
150.00
|
50.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
140.00
|
40.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
130.00
|
30.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
120.00
|
20.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
110.00
|
10.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
105.00
|
5.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
102.00
|
2.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
100.00(2)
|
0.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
90.00
|
-10.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
80.00(3)
|
-20.00%
|
$1,008.75
|
0.875%
|
|
79.99
|
-20.01%
|
$999.90
|
-0.010%
|
|
70.00
|
-30.00%
|
$900.00
|
-10.000%
|
|
60.00
|
-40.00%
|
$800.00
|
-20.000%
|
|
50.00
|
-50.00%
|
$700.00
|
-30.000%
|
|
0.00
|
-100.00%
|
$200.00
|
-80.000%
|
|
(1)
|
The “Return on the Notes” is calculated based on the Redemption Amount and potential final Contingent Coupon Payment, not including any Contingent Coupon Payments paid prior to maturity.
|
|
(2)
|
The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in the table above has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent a likely Starting Value of any Underlying.
|
|
(3)
|
This is the hypothetical Coupon Barrier and Threshold Value of the Least Performing Underlying.
|
|
|
CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-9
|
|
Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
Risk Factors
Your investment in the Notes entails significant risks, many of which differ from those of a conventional debt security. Your decision to purchase the Notes should be made only after carefully considering the risks of an investment in the Notes, including those discussed below, with your advisors in light of your particular circumstances. The Notes are not an appropriate investment for you if you are not knowledgeable about significant elements of the Notes or financial matters in general. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the Notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-5 of the accompanying product supplement, page S-6 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and page 7 of the accompanying prospectus, each as identified on page PS-30 below.
Structure-related Risks
|
•
|
Your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. There is no fixed principal repayment amount on the Notes at maturity. If the Notes are not automatically called prior to maturity and the Ending Value of either Underlying is less than its Threshold Value, at maturity, your investment will be subject to 1:1 downside exposure to decreases in the value of the Least Performing Underlying beyond a 20% decline and you will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Threshold Value. In that case, you will lose some or a significant portion of your investment in the Notes.
|
|
•
|
Your return on the Notes is limited to the return represented by the Contingent Coupon Payments, if any, over the term of the Notes. Your return on the Notes is limited to the Contingent Coupon Payments paid over the term of the Notes, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value or Ending Value of any Underlying exceeds its Coupon Barrier or Starting Value, as applicable. Similarly, the amount payable at maturity or upon an Automatic Call will never exceed the sum of the principal amount and the applicable Contingent Coupon Payment, regardless of the extent to which the Observation Value or Ending Value of any Underlying exceeds its Starting Value. In contrast, a direct investment in an Underlying or in the securities held by or included in an Underlying, as applicable, would allow you to receive the benefit of any appreciation in their values. Any return on the Notes will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned those securities and received the dividends paid or distributions made on them.
|
|
•
|
The Notes are subject to a potential Automatic Call, which would limit your ability to receive the Contingent Coupon Payments over the full term of the Notes. The Notes are subject to a potential Automatic Call. Beginning with the July 31, 2025 Call Observation Date, the Notes will be automatically called if, on any Call Observation Date, the Observation Value of each Underlying is greater than or equal to its Call Value. If the Notes are automatically called prior to the Maturity Date, you will be entitled to receive the Early Redemption Amount on the applicable Call Payment Date, and no further amounts will be payable on the Notes. In this case, you will lose the opportunity to continue to receive Contingent Coupon Payments after the date of the Automatic Call. If the Notes are called prior to the Maturity Date, you may be unable to invest in other securities with a similar level of risk that could provide a return that is similar to the Notes.
|
|
•
|
You may not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments. The Notes do not provide for any regular fixed coupon payments. Investors in the Notes will not necessarily receive any Contingent Coupon Payments on the Notes. If the Observation Value of any Underlying is less than its Coupon Barrier on an Observation Date, you will not receive the Contingent Coupon Payment applicable to that Observation Date. If the Observation Value of any Underlying is less than its Coupon Barrier on all the Observation Dates during the term of the Notes, you will not receive any Contingent Coupon Payments during the term of the Notes, and will not receive a positive return on the Notes.
|
|
•
|
Your return on the Notes may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity. Any return that you receive on the Notes may be less than the return you would earn if you purchased a conventional debt security with the same Maturity Date. As a result, your investment in the Notes may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you consider factors, such as inflation, that affect the time value of money. In addition, if interest rates increase during the term of the Notes, the Contingent Coupon Payment (if any) may be less than the yield on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity.
|
|
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The Contingent Coupon Payment, Early Redemption Amount or Redemption Amount, as applicable, will not reflect changes in the values of the Underlyings other than on the Observation Dates or Call Observation Dates, as applicable. The values of the Underlyings during the term of the Notes other than on the Observation Dates or Call Observation Dates, as applicable, will not affect payments on the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, investors should generally be aware of the performance of the Underlyings while holding the Notes, as the performance of the Underlyings may influence the market value of the Notes. The calculation agent will determine whether each Contingent Coupon Payment is payable and will calculate the Early Redemption Amount or the Redemption Amount, as applicable, by comparing only the Starting Value, the Coupon Barrier, the Call Value or the Threshold Value, as applicable, to the Observation Value or the Ending Value for each Underlying. No other values of the Underlyings will be taken into account. As a result, if the Notes are not automatically called prior to maturity and the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Threshold Value, you will receive less than the principal amount at maturity even if the value of each Underlying was always above its Threshold Value prior to the Valuation Date.
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Because the Notes are linked to the least performing (and not the average performance) of the Underlyings, you may not receive any return on the Notes and may lose some or a significant portion of your investment in the Notes even if the Observation Value or Ending Value of one Underlying is greater than or equal to its Coupon Barrier or Threshold Value, as applicable. Your Notes are linked to the least performing of the Underlyings, and a change in the value of one Underlying may not correlate with changes in the value of the other Underlying. The Notes are not linked to a basket composed of the Underlyings, where the
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-10
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
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depreciation in the value of one Underlying could be offset to some extent by the appreciation in the value of the other Underlying. In the case of the Notes, the individual performance of each Underlying would not be combined, and the depreciation in the value of one Underlying would not be offset by any appreciation in the value of the other Underlying. Even if the Observation Value of an Underlying is at or above its Coupon Barrier on an Observation Date, you will not receive the Contingent Coupon Payment with respect to that Observation Date if the Observation Value of the other Underlying is below its Coupon Barrier on that day. In addition, even if the Ending Value of an Underlying is at or above its Threshold Value, you will lose some or a significant portion of your investment in the Notes if the Ending Value of the Least Performing Underlying is below its Threshold Value.
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Any payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk and the credit risk of the Guarantor, and any actual or perceived changes in our or the Guarantor’s creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the Notes. The Notes are our senior unsecured debt securities. Any payment on the Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantor. The Notes are not guaranteed by any entity other than the Guarantor. As a result, your receipt of any payments on the Notes will be dependent upon our ability and the ability of the Guarantor to repay our respective obligations under the Notes on the applicable payment date, regardless of the performance of the Underlyings. No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition or the financial condition of the Guarantor will be at any time after the pricing date of the Notes. If we and the Guarantor become unable to meet our respective financial obligations as they become due, you may not receive the amount(s) payable under the terms of the Notes.
In addition, our credit ratings and the credit ratings of the Guarantor are assessments by ratings agencies of our respective abilities to pay our obligations. Consequently, our or the Guarantor’s perceived creditworthiness and actual or anticipated decreases in our or the Guarantor’s credit ratings or increases in the spread between the yield on our respective securities and the yield on U.S. Treasury securities (the “credit spread”) prior to the Maturity Date may adversely affect the market value of the Notes. However, because your return on the Notes depends upon factors in addition to our ability and the ability of the Guarantor to pay our respective obligations, such as the values of the Underlyings, an improvement in our or the Guarantor’s credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the Notes.
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We are a finance subsidiary and, as such, have no independent assets, operations, or revenues. We are a finance subsidiary of the Guarantor, have no operations other than those related to the issuance, administration and repayment of our debt securities that are guaranteed by the Guarantor, and are dependent upon the Guarantor and/or its other subsidiaries to meet our obligations under the Notes in the ordinary course. Therefore, our ability to make payments on the Notes may be limited.
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Valuation and Market-related Risks
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The public offering price you pay for the Notes will exceed their initial estimated value. The range of initial estimated values of the Notes that is provided on the cover page of this preliminary pricing supplement, and the initial estimated value as of the pricing date that will be provided in the final pricing supplement, are each estimates only, determined as of a particular point in time by reference to our and our affiliates’ pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, including our credit spreads and those of the Guarantor, the Guarantor’s internal funding rate, mid-market terms on hedging transactions, expectations on interest rates, dividends and volatility, price-sensitivity analysis, and the expected term of the Notes. These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. If you attempt to sell the Notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than their initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the values of the Underlyings, changes in the Guarantor’s internal funding rate, and the inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount, if any, and the hedging related charges, all as further described in “Structuring the Notes” below. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the Notes, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the Notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the Notes in complex and unpredictable ways.
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The initial estimated value does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we, BAC, BofAS or any of our other affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your Notes at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including the performance of the Underlyings, our and BAC’s creditworthiness and changes in market conditions.
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We cannot assure you that a trading market for your Notes will ever develop or be maintained. We will not list the Notes on any securities exchange. We cannot predict how the Notes will trade in any secondary market or whether that market will be liquid or illiquid.
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Conflict-related Risks
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Trading and hedging activities by us, the Guarantor and any of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may create conflicts of interest with you and may affect your return on the Notes and their market value. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may buy or sell shares or units of the Underlyings or the securities held by or included in the Underlyings, as applicable, or futures or options contracts or exchange traded instruments on the Underlyings or those securities, or other instruments whose value is derived from the Underlyings or those securities. While we, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may from time to time own shares or units of the Underlyings or securities represented by the Underlyings, except to the extent that BAC’s common stock may be included in the Underlyings, we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including BofAS, do not control any company included in the Underlyings, and have not verified any disclosure made by any other company. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may execute such purchases or sales for our own or their own accounts, for business
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-11
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
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reasons, or in connection with hedging our obligations under the Notes. These transactions may present a conflict of interest between your interest in the Notes and the interests we, the Guarantor and our other affiliates, including BofAS, may have in our or their proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including block trades, for our or their other customers, and in accounts under our or their management. These transactions may adversely affect the values of the Underlyings in a manner that could be adverse to your investment in the Notes. On or before the pricing date, any purchases or sales by us, the Guarantor or our other affiliates, including BofAS or others on our or their behalf (including those for the purpose of hedging some or all of our anticipated exposure in connection with the Notes), may affect the values of the Underlyings. Consequently, the values of the Underlyings may change subsequent to the pricing date, which may adversely affect the market value of the Notes.
We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, also expect to engage in hedging activities that could affect the values of the Underlyings on the pricing date. In addition, these hedging activities, including the unwinding of a hedge, may decrease the market value of your Notes prior to maturity, and may affect the amounts to be paid on the Notes. We, the Guarantor or one or more of our other affiliates, including BofAS, may purchase or otherwise acquire a long or short position in the Notes and may hold or resell the Notes. For example, BofAS may enter into these transactions in connection with any market making activities in which it engages. We cannot assure you that these activities will not adversely affect the values of the Underlyings, the market value of your Notes prior to maturity or the amounts payable on the Notes.
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There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent, which is an affiliate of ours. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent. One of our affiliates will be the calculation agent for the Notes and, as such, will make a variety of determinations relating to the Notes, including the amounts that will be paid on the Notes. Under some circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between its status as our affiliate and its responsibilities as calculation agent.
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Underlying-related Risks
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The Notes are subject to risks associated with small-size capitalization companies. The stocks comprising the RTY are issued by companies with small-sized market capitalization. The stock prices of small-size companies may be more volatile than stock prices of large capitalization companies. Small-size capitalization companies may be less able to withstand adverse economic, market, trade and competitive conditions relative to larger companies. Small-size capitalization companies may also be more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products or services.
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Adverse conditions in the semiconductor production and equipment sector may reduce your return on the Notes. All or substantially all of the stocks held by the SMH are issued by companies whose primary line of business is directly associated with the semiconductor production and equipment sector. The SMH is subject to the risk that companies that are in the semiconductor production and equipment sector may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events. As product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Semiconductor companies are vulnerable to wide fluctuations in securities prices due to rapid product obsolescence. Many semiconductor companies may not successfully introduce new products, develop and maintain a loyal customer base or achieve general market acceptance for their products, and failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced demand for end-user products, underutilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor production and equipment sector. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and such companies may need additional financing, which may be difficult to obtain. They also may be subject to risks relating to research and development costs and the availability and price of components. Moreover, they may be heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. Some of the companies involved in the semiconductor production and equipment sector are also engaged in other lines of business unrelated to the semiconductor business, and they may experience problems with these lines of business, which could adversely affect their operating results. The international operations of many semiconductor companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, tariffs and trade disputes, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs and other risks inherent to international business. The semiconductor production and equipment sector is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. Companies in the semiconductor production and equipment sector also may be subject to competition from new market entrants. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor production and equipment sector have been and will likely continue to be extremely volatile compared to the overall market. These factors could affect the semiconductor production and equipment sector and could affect the value of the equity securities held by the SMH and the price of the SMH during the term of the Notes, which may adversely affect the value of your Notes.
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The stocks held by the SMH are concentrated in one sector. The SMH holds securities issued by companies in the semiconductor production and equipment sector. As a result, some of the stocks that will determine the performance of the Notes are concentrated in one sector. Although an investment in the Notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the securities held by the SMH, the return on an investment in the Notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in companies in this sector. Accordingly, by investing in the Notes, you will not benefit from the diversification which could result from an investment linked to companies that operate in multiple sectors.
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The performance of the SMH may not correlate with the performance of its underlying index as well as the net asset value per share or unit of the SMH, especially during periods of market volatility. The performance of the SMH and that of its underlying index generally will vary due to, for example, transaction costs, management fees, certain corporate actions, and timing variances. Moreover, it
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-12
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
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is also possible that the performance of the SMH may not fully replicate or may, in certain circumstances, diverge significantly from the performance of its underlying index. This could be due to, for example, the SMH not holding all or substantially all of the underlying assets included in its underlying index and/or holding assets that are not included in its underlying index, the temporary unavailability of certain securities in the secondary market, the performance of any derivative instruments held by the SMH, differences in trading hours between the SMH (or the underlying assets held by the SMH) and its underlying index, or other circumstances. This variation in performance is called the “tracking error,” and, at times, the tracking error may be significant. In addition, because the shares or units of the SMH are traded on a securities exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the market price of one share or unit of the SMH may differ from its net asset value per share or unit; shares or units of the SMH may trade at, above, or below its net asset value per share or unit. During periods of market volatility, securities held by the SMH may be unavailable in the secondary market, market participants may be unable to calculate accurately the net asset value per share or unit of the SMH and the liquidity of the SMH may be adversely affected. Market volatility may also disrupt the ability of market participants to trade shares or units of the SMH. Further, market volatility may adversely affect, sometimes materially, the prices at which market participants are willing to buy and sell shares or units of the SMH. As a result, under these circumstances, the market value of shares or units of the SMH may vary substantially from the net asset value per share or unit of the SMH.
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The anti-dilution adjustments will be limited. The calculation agent may adjust the Price Multiplier of the SMH and other terms of the Notes to reflect certain actions by the SMH, as described in the section “Description of the Notes—Anti-Dilution and Discontinuance Adjustments Relating to ETFs” in the accompanying product supplement. The calculation agent will not be required to make an adjustment for every event that may affect the SMH and will have broad discretion to determine whether and to what extent an adjustment is required.
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The publisher or the sponsor or investment advisor of an Underlying may adjust that Underlying in a way that affects its values, and the publisher or the sponsor or investment advisor has no obligation to consider your interests. The publisher or the sponsor or investment advisor of an Underlying can add, delete, or substitute the components included in that Underlying or make other methodological changes that could change its value. Any of these actions could adversely affect the value of your Notes.
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Tax-related Risks
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The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the Notes. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the Notes or securities similar to the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are not certain. Under the terms of the Notes, you will have agreed with us to treat the Notes as contingent income-bearing single financial contracts, as described below under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary—General.” If the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) were successful in asserting an alternative characterization for the Notes, the timing and character of income, gain or loss with respect to the Notes may differ. No ruling will be requested from the IRS with respect to the Notes and no assurance can be given that the IRS will agree with the statements made in the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary.” You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in the Notes.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-13
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
The Underlyings
All disclosures contained in this pricing supplement regarding the Underlyings, including, without limitation, their make-up, method of calculation, and changes in their components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, the sponsor of the RTY and the investment advisor of the SMH (collectively, the “Underlying Sponsors”). The Underlying Sponsors, which license the copyright and all other rights to the respective Underlyings, have no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the Underlyings. The consequences of any Underlying Sponsor discontinuing publication of the applicable Underlying are discussed in “Description of the Notes — Discontinuance of an Index” and “Description of the Notes — Anti-Dilution and Discontinuance Adjustments Relating to ETFs — Discontinuance of or Material Change to an ETF” in the accompanying product supplement. None of us, the Guarantor, the calculation agent, or BofAS accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of any Underlying or any successor underlying. None of us, the Guarantor, BofAS or any of our other affiliates makes any representation to you as to the future performance of the Underlyings. You should make your own investigation into the Underlyings.
The Russell 2000® Index
The RTY was developed by Russell Investments (“Russell”) before FTSE International Limited and Russell combined in 2015 to create FTSE Russell, which is wholly owned by London Stock Exchange Group. Additional information on the RTY is available at the following website: http://www.ftserussell.com. No information on that website is deemed to be included or incorporated by reference in this pricing supplement.
Russell began dissemination of the RTY on January 1, 1984. FTSE Russell calculates and publishes the RTY. The RTY was set to 135 as of the close of business on December 31, 1986. The RTY is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the U.S. equity market. As a subset of the Russell 3000® Index, the RTY consists of the smallest 2,000 companies included in the Russell 3000® Index. The Russell 3000® Index measures the performance of the largest 3,000 U.S. companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market. The RTY is determined, comprised, and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to the Notes.
Selection of Stocks Comprising the RTY
Each company eligible for inclusion in the RTY must be classified as a U.S. company under FTSE Russell’s country-assignment methodology. If a company is incorporated, has a stated headquarters location, and trades in the same country (American Depositary Receipts and American Depositary Shares are not eligible), then the company is assigned to its country of incorporation. If any of the three factors are not the same, FTSE Russell defines three Home Country Indicators (“HCIs”): country of incorporation, country of headquarters, and country of the most liquid exchange (as defined by a two-year average daily dollar trading volume) from all exchanges within a country. Using the HCIs, FTSE Russell compares the primary location of the company’s assets with the three HCIs. If the primary location of its assets matches any of the HCIs, then the company is assigned to the primary location of its assets. If there is insufficient information to determine the country in which the company’s assets are primarily located, FTSE Russell will use the country from which the company’s revenues are primarily derived for the comparison with the three HCIs in a similar manner. FTSE Russell uses the average of two years of assets or revenues data to reduce potential turnover. If conclusive country details cannot be derived from assets or revenues data, FTSE Russell will assign the company to the country of its headquarters, which is defined as the address of the company’s principal executive offices, unless that country is a Benefit Driven Incorporation (“BDI”) country, in which case the company will be assigned to the country of its most liquid stock exchange. BDI countries include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, and Turks and Caicos Islands. For any companies incorporated or headquartered in a U.S. territory, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands, a U.S. HCI is assigned.
All securities eligible for inclusion in the RTY must trade on a major U.S. exchange. Stocks must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on their primary exchange on the last trading day in May to be eligible for inclusion during annual reconstitution. However, in order to reduce unnecessary turnover, if an existing member’s closing price is less than $1.00 on the last day of May, it will be considered eligible if the average of the daily closing prices (from its primary exchange) during the month of May is equal to or greater than $1.00. Initial public offerings are added each quarter and must have a closing price at or above $1.00 on the last day of their eligibility period in order to qualify for index inclusion. If an existing stock does not trade on the “rank day” (typically the last trading day in May but a confirmed timetable is announced each spring) but does have a closing price at or above $1.00 on another eligible U.S. exchange, that stock will be eligible for inclusion.
An important criterion used to determine the list of securities eligible for the RTY is total market capitalization, which is defined as the market price as of the last trading day in May for those securities being considered at annual reconstitution times the total number of shares outstanding. Where applicable, common stock, non-restricted exchangeable shares and partnership units/membership interests are used to determine market capitalization. Any other form of shares such as preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants and rights, installment receipts or trust receipts, are excluded from the calculation. If multiple share classes of common stock exist, they are combined. In cases where the common stock share classes act independently of each other (e.g., tracking stocks), each class is considered for inclusion separately. If multiple share classes exist, the pricing vehicle will be designated as the share class with the highest two-year trading volume as of the rank day in May.
Companies with a total market capitalization of less than $30 million are not eligible for the RTY. Similarly, companies with only 5% or less of their
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-14
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
shares available in the marketplace are not eligible for the RTY. Royalty trusts, limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies (companies that are required to report Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, as defined by the SEC, including business development companies), blank check companies, special purpose acquisition companies, and limited partnerships are also ineligible for inclusion. Bulletin board, pink sheets, and over-the-counter traded securities are not eligible for inclusion. Exchange traded funds and mutual funds are also excluded.
Annual reconstitution is a process by which the RTY is completely rebuilt. Based on closing levels of the company’s common stock on its primary exchange on the rank day of May of each year, FTSE Russell reconstitutes the composition of the RTY using the then existing market capitalizations of eligible companies. Reconstitution of the RTY occurs on the last Friday in June or, when the last Friday in June is the 29th or 30th, reconstitution occurs on the prior Friday. In addition, FTSE Russell adds initial public offerings to the RTY on a quarterly basis based on total market capitalization ranking within the market-adjusted capitalization breaks established during the most recent reconstitution. After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public. This is often referred to as “free float.” The purpose of the adjustment is to exclude from market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set.
Historical Performance of the RTY
The following graph sets forth the daily historical performance of the RTY in the period from January 2, 2019 through December 24, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On December 24, 2024, the closing level of the RTY was 2,259.854.
This historical data on the RTY is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the RTY or what the value of the Notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the closing level of the RTY during any period set forth above is not an indication that the closing level of the RTY is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the Notes.
Before investing in the Notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the closing levels of the RTY.
License Agreement
“Russell 2000®” and “Russell 3000®” are trademarks of FTSE Russell and have been licensed for use by our affiliate, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by FTSE Russell, and FTSE Russell makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the Notes.
FTSE Russell and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated have entered into a non-exclusive license agreement providing for the license to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and its affiliates, including us, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use indices owned and published by FTSE Russell in connection with some securities, including the Notes. The license agreement provides that the following language must be stated in this pricing supplement:
The Notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by FTSE Russell. FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the Notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Notes particularly or the ability of the RTY to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same. FTSE Russell’s publication of the RTY in no way suggests or implies an opinion by FTSE Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or all of the securities upon which the RTY is based. FTSE Russell’s only
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-15
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
relationship to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and to us is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE Russell and of the RTY, which is determined, composed, and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, us, or the Notes. FTSE Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the Notes nor any associated literature or publications and FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. FTSE Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate, or in any way change the RTY. FTSE Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the Notes.
FTSE RUSSELL DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE RTY OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND FTSE RUSSELL SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. FTSE RUSSELL MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED, US, BAC, BOFAS, HOLDERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE RTY OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. FTSE RUSSELL MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE RTY OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL FTSE RUSSELL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-16
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
The VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
The SMH is an exchange-traded fund that trades on the NYSE Arca, Inc. under the ticker symbol “SMH.” The SMH seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS® US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index (“MVSMH”). For more information about the MVSMH, please see “The MVIS® US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index” below.
The SMH, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the MVSMH by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the MVSMH.
The SMH’s return may not match the return of the MVSMH for a number of reasons. For example, the SMH incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the MVSMH and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the SMH’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the MVSMH, which are not factored into the return of the MVSMH. Transaction costs, including brokerage costs, will decrease the SMH’s net asset value to the extent not offset by the transaction fee payable by an authorized participant. Market disruptions and regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on the SMH’s ability to adjust its exposure to the required levels in order to track the MVSMH. Errors in the MVSMH data, the MVSMH computations and/or the construction of the MVSMH in accordance with its methodology may occur from time to time and may not be identified and corrected by the MVSMH provider for a period of time or at all, which may have an adverse impact on the SMH and its shareholders. In addition, the SMH may not invest in certain securities included in the MVSMH, or invest in them in the exact proportions in which they are represented in the MVSMH. The SMH’s performance may also deviate from the return of the MVSMH due to legal restrictions or limitations imposed by the governments of certain countries, certain listing standards of the SMH’s listing exchange, a lack of liquidity on stock exchanges in which the securities trade, potential adverse tax consequences or other regulatory reasons (such as diversification requirements). The SMH may value certain of its investments and/or other assets based on fair value prices. To the extent the SMH calculates its net asset value based on fair value prices and the value of the MVSMH is based on securities’ closing prices (i.e., the value of the MVSMH is not based on fair value prices), the SMH’s ability to track the MVSMH may be adversely affected. In addition, any issues the SMH encounters with regard to currency convertibility (including the cost of borrowing funds, if any) and repatriation may also increase tracking risk. In light of the factors discussed above, the SMH’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the MVSMH. Changes to the composition of the MVSMH in connection with a rebalancing or reconstitution of the MVSMH may cause the SMH to experience increased volatility, during which time the SMH’s index tracking risk may be heightened.
The MVIS® US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index
All information contained in this pricing supplement regarding the MVSMH, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information, without independent verification. This information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, MV Index Solutions GmbH (“MVIS”). The MVSMH was developed by MVIS and is maintained and published by MVIS. The MVSMH is calculated by Solactive AG. MVIS has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue the publication of, the MVSMH.
The MVSMH is reported by Bloomberg L.P. under the ticker symbol “MVSMH.”
The MVSMH is designed to track the performance of the largest and most liquid U.S.-listed companies that derive at least 50% (25% for current components) of their revenues from semiconductors. This includes companies engaged primarily in the production of semiconductors and semiconductor equipment. The MVSMH was launched on August 12, 2011 with a base index value of 1,000 as of September 29, 2000.
Index Composition and Maintenance
The Index Universe
The index universe includes only common stocks and stocks with similar characteristics from financial markets that are freely investable for foreign investors and that provide real-time and historical component and currency pricing. Limited partnerships are excluded. Companies from financial markets that are not freely investable for foreign investors or that do not provide real-time and historical component and currency pricing may still be eligible if they have a listing on an eligible exchange and if they meet all the size and liquidity requirements on that exchange.
Only stocks that have a full market capitalization exceeding US$50 million are eligible for the index universe.
Investable Index Universe
Companies with a free-float (or shares available to foreign investors) of less than 5% for existing index components or less than 10% for new components are ineligible for inclusion.
In addition to the above, stocks that are currently not in the MVSMH must meet the following size and liquidity requirements:
• a full market capitalization exceeding US$150 million;
• a three-month average-daily-trading volume of at least US$1 million at the current review and also at the previous two reviews; and
• at least 250,000 shares traded per month over the last six months at the current review and also at the previous two reviews.
For stocks already in the MVSMH the following applies:
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• a full market capitalization exceeding US$75 million; and
• a three-month average-daily-trading volume of at least US$0.2 million in at least two of the latest three quarters (current review and also at previous two reviews)
• In addition, a three-month average-daily-trading volume of at least US$0.6 million at current review or at one of the previous two reviews; or
• at least 200,000 shares traded per month over the last six months at the current review or at one of the previous two reviews.
In case the number of investable stocks drops below the minimum component number for the respective index, current components remain investable.
Only one share line of each company is eligible. In case more than one share line fulfills the above size and liquidity rules, only the largest share line by free-float market capitalization is eligible. MVIS can, in exceptional cases (e.g., significantly higher liquidity), decide for a different share line.
In case the free-float market capitalization of a non-component share line:
• exceeds the free-float market capitalization of a share line of the same company which is an index component by at least 25%; and
• fulfills all size and liquidity eligibility criteria for non-components,
• the current component share line will be replaced by the larger one. MVIS can, in exceptional cases (e.g., significantly higher liquidity), decide to keep the current share line instead.
Index Constituent Selection
The MVSMH is reviewed on a semi-annual basis in March and September.
The target coverage of the MVSMH is 25 companies from the investable universe. MVSMH constituents are selected using the following procedure:
(1) The largest 50 stocks (by full market capitalization) from the investable universe qualify.
(2) The 50 stocks are ranked in two different ways — by free-float market capitalization in descending order (the largest company receives rank “1”) and then by three-month average-daily-trading volume in descending order (the most liquid company receives rank “1”). These two ranks are added up.
(3) The 50 stocks are then ranked by the sum of their two ranks in Step 2 in ascending order. If two companies have the same sum of ranks, the larger company is placed on top.
a. Initially, the highest ranked 25 companies made up the MVSMH.
b. On-going, a 10-40 buffer is applied: the highest ranked 10 companies qualify. The remaining 15 companies are selected from the highest ranked remaining current MVSMH components ranked between 11 and 40. If the number of selected companies is still below 25, then the highest ranked remaining stocks are selected until 25 companies have been selected.
Review Schedule
The reviews for the MVSMH are based on the closing data on the last business day in February and August. If a company does not trade on the last business day in February or August, the last available price for this company will be used.
The underlying index data (e.g., new number of shares, new free-float factors and new weighting cap factors) is announced on the second Friday in March or September. The weighting cap factors are based on closing data of the Wednesday prior to the second Friday in March or September. Changes to the MVSMH are implemented and based on the closing prices of the third Friday in March or September. If the third Friday is not a business day, then the review will take place on the last business day before the third Friday. If a constituent of the MVSMH does not trade on the third Friday in March or September, then the last available price for that index constituent will be used. Changes become effective on the next business day. The component changes to the MVSMH are announced on the second Friday in March or September.
Ongoing Maintenance
In addition to the periodic reviews, the MVSMH is continually reviewed for corporate events (e.g., mergers, takeovers, spin-offs, delistings and bankruptcies) that affect the MVSMH components.
Deletions. For all corporate events that result in a stock deletion from the MVSMH, the deleted stock will be replaced with the highest ranked non-component on the most recent selection list immediately only if the number of components in the MVSMH would drop below 20. The replacement stock will be added at the same weight as the deleted stock. Only in case the number of components drop below its minimum due to a merger of two or more index components, the replacement stock will be added with its free-float market capitalization, weighted with the capping factor of the uncapped components in the small-weight group of the weighting scheme. In all other cases (i.e., there is not replacement), the additional weight resulting from the deletion will be redistributed proportionally across all other components of the MVSMH.
Changes to Free-Float Factor and Number of Shares. Changes to the number of shares or the free-float factors due to corporate actions like stock dividends, splits, rights issues, etc. are implemented immediately and will be effective the next trading day (i.e., the ex-date). Simple share/float changes are implemented after a 3-day notice period.
Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and Spin-Offs. An IPO stock is eligible for fast-track addition to the index universe for the MVSMH once; either at the next
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semi-annual review if it has been trading since at least the last trading day of the month prior to the review snapshot dates (i.e., the last trading day in February or August) or else at the then-following semi-annual review. In order to be added to the MVSMH the IPO stock has to meet the size and liquidity requirements:
• the IPO must have a full market capitalization exceeding US$150 million;
• the IPO must have a free-float factor of at least 10%;
• the IPO must have an average-daily-trading volume of at least US$1 million; and
• the IPO must have traded at least 250,000 shares per month (or per 22 days).
This rule is applicable for newly spun-off companies as well.
Changes due to Mergers & Takeovers. A merger or takeover is deemed successful if it has been declared wholly unconditional and has received approval of all regulatory agencies with jurisdiction over the transaction. The result of a merger or takeover is typically one surviving stock and one or more non-surviving stocks that may not necessarily be de-listed from the respective trading system(s).
If a MVSMH component merges with or takes over another MVSMH component: The surviving stock remains in the MVSMH and the other stock is deleted immediately from the MVSMH. Its shares and float are adjusted according to the terms of the merger/takeover. The index market capitalization of the merged company corresponds to the market capitalization of the two separate companies.
If a MVSMH component merges with or takes over a non-MVSMH component: If the surviving stock meets the MVSMH requirements, then it remains in the MVSMH and its shares (if the share change is greater than 10%) and float are adjusted according to the terms of the merger/takeover. If the surviving stock does not meet the MVSMH requirements, then it is deleted immediately from the MVSMH.
If a non-MVSMH component merges with or takes over a MVSMH component: If the surviving stock meets the MVSMH requirements, then it will be added to the MVSMH (shares (if the share change is greater than 10%) and float adjusted according to the terms of the merger/takeover) and will replace the current MVSMH component. If the surviving stock does not meet the MVSMH requirements, then it will not be added to the MVSMH and the current MVSMH component is deleted immediately from the MVSMH.
Changes due to Spin-Offs. Each spin-off stock is immediately added to the MVSMH for at least two trading days. If a spin-off company does not qualify for the MVSMH, it will be deleted based on its closing price. Shares and floats of the surviving companies are adjusted according to the terms of the spin-off. In case the number of MVSMH components drops below the minimum component number and no non-component stock is eligible as a replacement, the determination of the addition is subject to MVIS’s decision.
Index Calculation
The value of the MVSMH is calculated using the Laspeyres’ formula, rounded to two decimal places, with stock prices converted to U.S. dollars:
where (for all stocks (i) in the MVSMH):
· p
i
= stock price (rounded to four decimal places);
· q
i
= number of shares;
· ff
i
= free-float factor (rounded to two decimal places);
· fx
i
= exchange rate (local currency to U.S. Dollar) (rounded to 12 decimal places);
· cf
i
= sector-weighting cap factor (if applicable, otherwise set to 1) (rounded to 16 decimal places);
· M = free-float market capitalization of the MVSMH; and
· D = divisor (rounded to six decimal places).
Free-Float
The MVSMH is free-float adjusted — that is, the number of shares outstanding is reduced to exclude closely held shares (amount larger than 5% of the company’s full market capitalization) from the index calculation. At times, other adjustments are made to the share count to reflect foreign ownership limits. These are combined with the block-ownership adjustments into a single factor. To avoid unwanted double counting, either the block-ownership adjustment or the restricted stocks adjustment is applied, whichever produces the higher result. Free-float factors are reviewed quarterly.
Company-Weighting Cap Factors
Companies in the MVSMH are weighted according to their free-float market capitalization, as modified by the company-weighting cap factors. The MVSMH used the company-weighting cap factors to ensure diversification to avoid overweighting. The company-weighting cap factors are reviewed quarterly and applied, if necessary. The following weighting scheme applies to the MVSMH:
(1) All MVSMH components are weighted by their free-float market capitalization.
(2) All companies exceeding 4.5% but at least the largest five and at the maximum the largest 10 companies are grouped together (so called
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“Large-Weights”). All other companies are grouped together as well (so called “Small-Weights“).
(3) The aggregated weighting of the Large-Weights is capped at 50%:
a. Large-Weights: If the aggregated weighting of all companies in Large-Weight exceeds 50%, then a capping factor is calculated to bring the weighting down to 50%; at the same time, a second capping factor for the Small-Weights is calculated to increase the aggregated weight to 50%. These two factors are then applied to all companies in the Large-Weights or the Small-Weights respectively.
b. Large-Weights: The maximum weight for any single stock is 20% and the minimum weighting is 5%. If a stock is above the maximum or below the minimum weight, then the weight will be reduced to the maximum weight or increased to the minimum weight and the excess weight will be re-distributed proportionally across all other remaining MVSMH constituents in the Large-Weights.
c. Small-Weights: The maximum weight for any single stock is 4.5%. If a stock is above the maximum weight, then the weight will be reduced to the maximum weight and the excess weight will be re-distributed proportionally across all other remaining MVSMH constituents in the Small-Weights.
Divisor Adjustments
Index maintenance (reflecting changes in, e.g., shares outstanding, capital actions, addition or deletion of stocks to the MVSMH) should not change the level of the MVSMH. This is accomplished with an adjustment to the divisor. Any change to the stocks in the MVSMH that alters the total market value of the MVSMH while holding stock prices constant will require a divisor adjustment.
where ∆MC is the difference between closing market capitalization and adjusted closing market capitalization of the MVSMH.
Data Correction
Incorrect or missing input data will be corrected immediately.
Corporate Action Related Adjustments
Corporate actions range widely from routine share issuances or buy backs to unusual events like spin-offs or mergers. These are listed on the table below with notes about the necessary changes and whether the divisor will be adjusted. Implementation takes place on the ex-date.
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Special cash dividend
pi, adjusted = pi – (Dividend x (1 – Withholding Tax))
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Divisor change: Yes
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Split
Shareholders receive “B” new shares for every “A” share held.
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Divisor change: No
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Rights offering
Shareholders receive “B” new shares for every “A” share held.
If the subscription-price is either not available or not smaller than the closing price, then no adjustment will be done.
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Divisor change: No
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Stock dividend
Shareholders receive “B” new shares for every “A” share held.
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Divisor change: No
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Stock dividend from treasury
Stock dividends from treasury are adjusted as ordinary cash dividends. Shareholders receive ‘B’ new shares for every ‘A’ share held.
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Divisor change: Yes
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Stock dividend of a different company security
Shareholders receive “B” shares of a different company for every “A” share held.
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Divisor change: Yes
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Spin-offs
Shareholders receive “B” shares of a different company for every “A” share held.
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Divisor change: Yes
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Addition/deletion of a company
Net change in market value determines the divisor adjustment.
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Divisor change: Yes
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Changes in shares outstanding/free-float
Any secondary issuance, share repurchase, buy back, tender offer, Dutch auction, exchange offer, bought deal equity offering or prospectus offering will be updated at the semi-annual review if the change is smaller than 10%. Changes larger than 10% will be pre-announced (3 trading days’ notice) and implemented on a best efforts basis. If necessary and information is available, resulting float changes are taken into consideration. Share changes will not be implemented in the week between review announcement and implementation.
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Divisor change: Yes
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Changes due to a merger/takeover/spin-off
Net change in free-float market value determines the divisor adjustment. In case of no change, the divisor change is 0.
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Divisor change: Yes
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With corporate actions where cash dividends or other corporate assets are distributed to shareholders, the price of the stock will drop on the ex-dividend day (the first day when a new shareholder is eligible to receive the distribution). The effect of the divisor adjustment is to prevent this price drop from causing a corresponding drop in the MVSMH.
Corporate actions are announced at least four days prior to implementation.
Historical Performance of the SMH
The following graph sets forth the daily historical performance of the SMH in the period from December 11, 2019 through December 24, 2024. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On December 24, 2024, the Closing Market Price of the SMH was $251.37.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-21
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This historical data on the SMH is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the SMH or what the value of the Notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the Closing Market Price of the SMH during any period set forth above is not an indication that the Closing Market Price of the SMH is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the Notes.
Before investing in the Notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the Closing Market Prices and trading pattern of the SMH.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-22
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Supplement to the Plan of Distribution; Role of BofAS and Conflicts of Interest
BofAS, a broker-dealer affiliate of ours, is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and will participate as selling agent in the distribution of the Notes. Accordingly, the offering of the Notes will conform to the requirements of FINRA Rule 5121. BofAS may not make sales in this offering to any of its discretionary accounts without the prior written approval of the account holder.
We expect to deliver the Notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than one business day following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the Notes occurs more than one business day from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes more than one business day prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
Under our distribution agreement with BofAS, BofAS will purchase the Notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this pricing supplement, less the indicated underwriting discount, if any. BofAS will sell the Notes to other broker-dealers that will participate in the offering and that are not affiliated with us, at an agreed discount to the principal amount. Each of those broker-dealers may sell the Notes to one or more additional broker-dealers. BofAS has informed us that these discounts may vary from dealer to dealer and that not all dealers will purchase or repurchase the Notes at the same discount. Certain dealers who purchase the Notes for sale to certain fee-based advisory accounts may forgo some or all of their selling concessions, fees or commissions. The public offering price for investors purchasing the Notes in these fee-based advisory accounts may be as low as $995.00 per $1,000.00 in principal amount of Notes.
BofAS and any of our other broker-dealer affiliates may use this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus for offers and sales in secondary market transactions and market-making transactions in the Notes. However, they are not obligated to engage in such secondary market transactions and/or market-making transactions. These broker-dealer affiliates may act as principal or agent in these transactions, and any such sales will be made at prices related to prevailing market conditions at the time of the sale.
At BofAS’s discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the Notes, BofAS may offer to buy the Notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the Notes. Any price offered by BofAS for the Notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Underlyings and the remaining term of the Notes. However, none of us, the Guarantor, BofAS or any of our other affiliates is obligated to purchase your Notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that any party will purchase your Notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the Notes.
Any price that BofAS may pay to repurchase the Notes will depend upon then prevailing market conditions, the creditworthiness of us and the Guarantor, and transaction costs. At certain times, this price may be higher than or lower than the initial estimated value of the Notes.
European Economic Area and United Kingdom
None of this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation (as defined below). This pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement have been prepared on the basis that any offer of Notes in any Member State of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”) or in the United Kingdom (each, a “Relevant State”) will only be made to a legal entity which is a qualified investor under the Prospectus Regulation (“Qualified Investors”). Accordingly any person making or intending to make an offer in that Relevant State of Notes which are the subject of the offering contemplated in this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement may only do so with respect to Qualified Investors. Neither BofA Finance nor BAC has authorized, nor does it authorize, the making of any offer of Notes other than to Qualified Investors. The expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.
PROHIBITION OF SALES TO EEA AND UNITED KINGDOM RETAIL INVESTORS – The Notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the United Kingdom. For these purposes: (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the Insurance Distribution Directive) where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Regulation; and (b) the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the Notes. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or in the United Kingdom has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the United Kingdom may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
United Kingdom
The communication of this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement, the accompanying
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prospectus and any other document or materials relating to the issue of the Notes offered hereby is not being made, and such documents and/or materials have not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of Section 21 of the United Kingdom’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended (the “FSMA”). Accordingly, such documents and/or materials are not being distributed to, and must not be passed on to, the general public in the United Kingdom. The communication of such documents and/or materials as a financial promotion is only being made to those persons in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters relating to investments and who fall within the definition of investment professionals (as defined in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”)), or who fall within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, or who are any other persons to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made under the Financial Promotion Order (all such persons together being referred to as “Relevant Persons”). In the United Kingdom, the Notes offered hereby are only available to, and any investment or investment activity to which this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relates will be engaged in only with, Relevant Persons. Any person in the United Kingdom that is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this pricing supplement, the accompanying product supplement, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or any of their contents.
Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of the Notes may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to BofA Finance, as Issuer, or BAC, as Guarantor.
All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the Notes in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
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Structuring the Notes
The Notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Underlyings. The related guarantee is BAC’s obligation. As is the case for all of our and BAC’s respective debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the Notes reflect our and BAC’s actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. In addition, because market-linked notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us and BAC, BAC typically borrows the funds under these types of notes at a rate, which we refer to in this pricing supplement as BAC’s internal funding rate, that is more favorable to BAC than the rate that it might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security. This generally relatively lower internal funding rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the Notes, along with the fees and charges associated with market-linked notes, typically results in the initial estimated value of the Notes on the pricing date being less than their public offering price.
In order to meet our payment obligations on the Notes, at the time we issue the Notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with BofAS or one of our other affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined based upon terms provided by BofAS and its affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our and BAC’s creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Underlyings, the tenor of the Notes and the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the Notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.
BofAS has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include hedging related charges, reflecting the costs associated with, and our affiliates’ profit earned from, these hedging arrangements. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, actual profits or losses from these hedging transactions may be more or less than any expected amounts.
For further information, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-5 and “Supplemental Use of Proceeds” on page PS-20 of the accompanying product supplement.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-25
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U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary
The following summary of the material U.S. federal income and estate tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the Notes supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), regulations promulgated under the Code by the U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury”) (including proposed and temporary regulations), rulings, current administrative interpretations and official pronouncements of the IRS, and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This summary does not include any description of the tax laws of any state or local governments, or of any foreign government, that may be applicable to a particular holder.
Although the Notes are issued by us, they will be treated as if they were issued by BAC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly throughout this tax discussion, references to “we,” “our” or “us” are generally to BAC unless the context requires otherwise.
This summary is directed solely to U.S. Holders and Non-U.S. Holders that, except as otherwise specifically noted, will purchase the Notes upon original issuance and will hold the Notes as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, which generally means property held for investment, and that are not excluded from the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus.
You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the Notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws.
General
Although there is no statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addressing the characterization of the Notes, we intend to treat the Notes for all tax purposes as contingent income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Underlyings and under the terms of the Notes, we and every investor in the Notes agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat the Notes in accordance with such characterization. In the opinion of our counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, it is reasonable to treat the Notes as contingent income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Underlyings. This discussion assumes that the Notes constitute contingent income-bearing single financial contracts with respect to the Underlyings for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Notes did not constitute contingent income-bearing single financial contracts, the tax consequences described below would be materially different.
This characterization of the Notes is not binding on the IRS or the courts. No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the Notes or any similar instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no ruling is being requested from the IRS with respect to their proper characterization and treatment. Due to the absence of authorities on point, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes are not certain, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or any court will agree with the characterization and tax treatment described in this pricing supplement. Accordingly, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Notes, including possible alternative characterizations.
Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the characterization described above. The discussion in this section assumes that there is a significant possibility of a significant loss of principal on an investment in the Notes.
We will not attempt to ascertain whether the issuer of an Underlying or the issuer of any component stock included in the Underlying that is an index would be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”), within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code, or a United States real property holding corporation, within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code. If the issuer of an Underlying or the issuer of one or more stocks included in the Underlying that is an index were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply to a holder of the Notes. You should refer to information filed with the SEC by the issuer of an Underlying or the issuers of the component stocks included in the Underlying that is an index and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you, if any, if the issuer of an Underlying or the issuer of any component stock included in the Underlying that is an index is or becomes a PFIC or is or becomes a United States real property holding corporation.
U.S. Holders
Although the U.S. federal income tax treatment of any Contingent Coupon Payment on the Notes is uncertain, we intend to take the position, and the following discussion assumes, that any Contingent Coupon Payment constitutes taxable ordinary income to a U.S. Holder at the time received or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting. By purchasing the Notes you agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat any Contingent Coupon Payment as described in the preceding sentence.
Upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes prior to maturity, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized (other than amounts representing any Contingent Coupon Payment, which would be taxed as described above) and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Notes. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Notes will equal the amount paid by that holder to acquire them. Subject to the discussion below concerning the possible application of the “constructive ownership” rules of Section 1260 of the Code, this capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder held the Notes for more than one year. The
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-26
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Possible Application of Section 1260 of the Code. Since one Underlying is the type of financial asset described under Section 1260 of the Code (including, among others, any equity interest in pass-through entities such as exchange traded funds, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, partnerships, and passive foreign investment companies, each a “Section 1260 Financial Asset”), while the matter is not entirely clear, there may exist a risk that an investment in the Notes will be treated , in whole or in part, as a “constructive ownership transaction” to which Section 1260 of the Code applies. If Section 1260 of the Code applies, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. Holder in respect of the Notes will be recharacterized as ordinary income (the “Excess Gain”). In addition, an interest charge will also apply to any deemed underpayment of tax in respect of any Excess Gain to the extent such gain would have resulted in gross income inclusion for the U.S. Holder in taxable years prior to the taxable year of the sale, exchange, redemption, or settlement (assuming such income accrued at a constant rate equal to the applicable federal rate as of the date of sale, exchange, redemption, or settlement).
If an investment in the Notes is treated as a constructive ownership transaction, it is not clear to what extent any long-term capital gain of a U.S. Holder in respect of the Notes will be recharacterized as ordinary income. It is possible, for example, that the amount of the Excess Gain (if any) that would be recharacterized as ordinary income in respect of the Notes will equal the excess of (i) any long-term capital gain recognized by the U.S. Holder in respect of the Notes and attributable to Section 1260 Financial Assets, over (ii) the “net underlying long-term capital gain” (as defined in Section 1260 of the Code) such U.S. Holder would have had if such U.S. Holder had acquired an amount of the corresponding Section 1260 Financial Assets at fair market value on the original issue date for an amount equal to the portion of the issue price of the Notes attributable to the corresponding Section 1260 Financial Assets and sold such amount of Section 1260 Financial Assets at maturity or upon sale, exchange or redemption of the Notes at fair market value. Unless otherwise established by clear and convincing evidence, the net underlying long-term capital gain is treated as zero and therefore it is possible that all long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. Holder in respect of the Notes will be recharacterized as ordinary income if Section 1260 of the Code applies to an investment in the Notes. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of Section 1260 of the Code to an investment in the Notes.
As described below, the IRS, as indicated in Notice 2008-2 (the “Notice”), is considering whether Section 1260 of the Code generally applies or should apply to the Notes, including in situations where the Underlyings are not the type of financial asset described under Section 1260 of the Code.
Alternative Tax Treatments. Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper tax treatment of the Notes, prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding all possible alternative tax treatments of an investment in the Notes. In particular, the IRS could seek to subject the Notes to the Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the IRS were successful in that regard, the timing and character of income on the Notes would be affected significantly. Among other things, a U.S. Holder would be required to accrue original issue discount every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of issuance. In addition, any gain realized by a U.S. Holder at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes generally would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized at maturity or upon a sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes generally would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s prior accruals of original issue discount, and as capital loss thereafter.
In addition, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as a unit consisting of a deposit and a put option written by the Note holder, in which case the timing and character of income on the Notes would be affected significantly.
The Notice sought comments from the public on the taxation of financial instruments currently taxed as “prepaid forward contracts.” This Notice addresses instruments such as the Notes. According to the Notice, the IRS and Treasury are considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the Notes should be required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, regardless of whether any payments are made prior to maturity. It is not possible to determine what guidance the IRS and Treasury will ultimately issue, if any. Any such future guidance may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain, or loss in respect of the Notes, possibly with retroactive effect.
The IRS and Treasury are also considering additional issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether foreign holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, whether Section 1260 of the Code, concerning certain “constructive ownership transactions,” generally applies or should generally apply to such instruments, and whether any of these determinations depend on the nature of the underlying asset.
In addition, proposed Treasury regulations require the accrual of income on a current basis for contingent payments made under certain notional principal contracts. The preamble to the regulations states that the “wait and see” method of accounting does not properly reflect the economic accrual of income on those contracts, and requires current accrual of income for some contracts already in existence. While the proposed regulations do not apply to prepaid forward contracts, the preamble to the proposed regulations expresses the view that similar timing issues exist in the case of prepaid forward contracts. If the IRS or Treasury publishes future guidance requiring current economic accrual for contingent payments on prepaid forward contracts, it is possible that you could be required to accrue income over the term of the Notes.
Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of the Notes, it is also possible that the IRS could seek to characterize the Notes in a manner that results in tax consequences that are different from those described above. For example, the IRS could possibly assert that any gain or loss that a holder may recognize at maturity or upon the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-27
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
Because one Underlying is an index that periodically rebalances, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as a series of contingent income-bearing single financial contracts, each of which matures on the next rebalancing date. If the Notes were properly characterized in such a manner, a U.S. Holder would be treated as disposing of the Notes on each rebalancing date in return for new Notes that mature on the next rebalancing date, and a U.S. Holder would accordingly likely recognize capital gain or loss on each rebalancing date equal to the difference between the holder’s tax basis in the Notes (which would be adjusted to take into account any prior recognition of gain or loss) and the fair market value of the Notes on such date.
Non-U.S. Holders
Because the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Notes (including any Contingent Coupon Payment) is uncertain, we (or the applicable paying agent) will withhold U.S. federal income tax at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on the entire amount of any Contingent Coupon Payment made unless such payments are effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business in the U.S. (in which case, to avoid withholding, the Non-U.S. Holder will be required to provide a Form W-8ECI). We (or the applicable paying agent) will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. To claim benefits under an income tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder must obtain a taxpayer identification number and certify as to its eligibility under the appropriate treaty’s limitations on benefits article, if applicable. In addition, special rules may apply to claims for treaty benefits made by Non-U.S. Holders that are entities rather than individuals. The availability of a lower rate of withholding under an applicable income tax treaty will depend on whether such rate applies to the characterization of the payments under U.S. federal income tax laws. A Non-U.S. Holder that is eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax pursuant to an income tax treaty may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.
Except as discussed below, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax for amounts paid in respect of the Notes (not including, for the avoidance of doubt, amounts representing any Contingent Coupon Payment which would be subject to the rules discussed in the previous paragraph) upon the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes or their settlement at maturity, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable certification requirements and that the payment is not effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a U.S. trade or business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes or their settlement at maturity may be subject to U.S. federal income tax if that Non-U.S. Holder is a non-resident alien individual and is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale, exchange, redemption, or settlement and certain other conditions are satisfied.
If a Non-U.S. Holder of the Notes is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and if any Contingent Coupon Payment and gain realized on the settlement at maturity, or upon sale, exchange, or redemption of the Notes, is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the U.S.), the Non-U.S. Holder, although exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax, generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such Contingent Coupon Payment and gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder. Such Non-U.S. Holders should read the material under the heading “—U.S. Holders,” for a description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the Notes. In addition, if such Non-U.S. Holder is a foreign corporation, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by any applicable tax treaty) of a portion of its earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., subject to certain adjustments.
A “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a Non-U.S. Holder. Under Treasury regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, IRS guidance provides that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2027. Based on our determination that the Notes are not delta-one instruments, Non-U.S. Holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Underlyings or the Notes, and following such occurrence the Notes could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S. Holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the Underlyings or the Notes should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the Notes and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.
As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible. Should an alternative characterization, by reason of change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments as to the Notes to become subject to withholding tax in addition to the withholding tax described above, tax will be withheld at the applicable statutory rate. Prospective Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of such alternative characterizations.
U.S. Federal Estate Tax. Under current law, while the matter is not entirely clear, individual Non-U.S. Holders, and entities whose property is potentially includible in those individuals’ gross estates for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, a Note is likely to be treated as U.S. situs property, subject to U.S. federal estate tax. These individuals and entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in a Note.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-28
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Please see the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations — General — Backup Withholding and Information Reporting” in the accompanying prospectus for a description of the applicability of the backup withholding and information reporting rules to payments made on the Notes.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-29
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Contingent Income Buffered Auto-Callable Yield Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Russell 2000® Index and the VanEck® Semiconductor ETF
Where You Can Find More Information
The terms and risks of the Notes are contained in this pricing supplement and in the following related product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, which can be accessed at the following links:
This pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website at www.sec.gov or obtained from BofAS by calling 1-800-294-1322. Before you invest, you should read this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus for information about us, BAC and this offering. Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by this pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. Certain terms used but not defined in this pricing supplement have the meanings set forth in the accompanying product supplement or prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to BofA Finance, and not to BAC.
The Notes are our senior debt securities. Any payments on the Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by BAC. The Notes and the related guarantee are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or secured by collateral. The Notes will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, except obligations that are subject to any priorities or preferences by law. The related guarantee will rank equally in right of payment with all of BAC’s other unsecured and unsubordinated obligations, except obligations that are subject to any priorities or preferences by law, and senior to its subordinated obligations. Any payments due on the Notes, including any repayment of the principal amount, will be subject to the credit risk of BofA Finance, as Issuer, and BAC, as Guarantor.
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CONTINGENT INCOME BUFFERED AUTO-CALLABLE YIELD NOTES | PS-30
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