Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. 611

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
File No. 333-202840

The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying market measure supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject To Completion, dated January 21, 2016

PRICING SUPPLEMENT No. 611 dated January     , 2016

(To Market Measure Supplement dated March 18, 2015,

Prospectus Supplement dated March 18, 2015

and Prospectus dated March 18, 2015)

   LOGO

 

 

Wells Fargo & Company

 

Medium-Term Notes, Series K

Equity Index and ETF Linked Securities

 

 

Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

 

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

 

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Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs comprised of the S&P 500® Index (60%); the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF (25%); the Russell 2000® Index (10%); and the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (5%)

 
 

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Unlike ordinary debt securities, the securities do not pay interest or repay a fixed amount of principal at maturity. Instead, the securities provide for a payment at maturity that may be greater than, equal to or less than the original offering price of the securities, depending on the performance of the basket from its starting level to its ending level. The payment at maturity will reflect the following terms:

 
   

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If the value of the basket increases, you will receive the original offering price plus 150% participation in the upside performance of the basket, subject to a maximum total return at maturity of 17.60% to 19.60% (to be determined on the pricing date) of the original offering price

 
   

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If the value of the basket decreases but the decrease is not more than 10%, you will be repaid the original offering price

 
   

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If the value of the basket decreases by more than 10%, you will receive less than the original offering price and have 1-to-1 downside exposure to the decrease in the value of the basket in excess of 10%

 
 

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Investors may lose up to 90% of the original offering price

 
 

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All payments on the securities are subject to the credit risk of Wells Fargo & Company, and you will have no ability to pursue the shares of the basket components or any securities held by the basket components for payment; if Wells Fargo & Company defaults on its obligations, you could lose some or all of your investment

 
 

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No periodic interest payments or dividends

 
 

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No exchange listing; designed to be held to maturity

 

 

We expect the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date to be approximately $977.85 per security. While the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date may differ from the estimated value set forth above, we do not expect it to differ significantly absent a material change in market conditions or other relevant factors. In no event will the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date be less than $962.85 per security. The estimated value of the securities was determined for us by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC using its proprietary pricing models. It is not an indication of actual profit to us or to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any of our other affiliates, nor is it an indication of the price, if any, at which Wells Fargo Securities, LLC or any other person may be willing to buy the securities from you at any time after issuance. See “Investment Description” in this pricing supplement.

The securities have complex features and investing in the securities involves risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. See “Risk Factors” herein on page PRS-11.

The securities are unsecured obligations of Wells Fargo & Company and all payments on the securities are subject to the credit risk of Wells Fargo & Company. The securities are not deposits or other obligations of a depository institution and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Deposit Insurance Fund or any other governmental agency of the United States or any other jurisdiction.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this pricing supplement or the accompanying market measure supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

    Original Offering Price   Agent Discount(1)   Proceeds to Wells Fargo
Per Security   $1,000.00   $6.00   $994.00
Total          
(1) 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, is the agent for the distribution of the securities and is acting as principal. See “Investment Description” in this pricing supplement for further information.

Wells Fargo Securities


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Investment Description

The Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017 are senior unsecured debt securities of Wells Fargo & Company that do not pay interest or repay a fixed amount of principal at maturity. Instead, the securities provide for a payment at maturity that may be greater than, equal to or less than the original offering price of the securities depending on the performance of a basket of equity indices and exchange traded funds (the “Basket”) from its starting level to its ending level. The securities provide:

 

  (i)

the possibility of a leveraged return at maturity if the value of the Basket increases from its starting level to its ending level, provided that the total return at maturity of the securities will not exceed the maximum total return of 17.60% to 19.60% of the original offering price, as determined on the pricing date;

 

  (ii)

repayment of principal if, and only if, the ending level of the Basket is not less than the starting level by more than 10%; and

 

  (iii)

exposure to decreases in the value of the Basket if and to the extent the ending level is less than the starting level by more than 10%.

If the ending level is less than the starting level by more than 10%, you will receive less, and possibly 90% less, than the original offering price of your securities at maturity. All payments on the securities are subject to the credit risk of Wells Fargo.

The Basket is comprised of the following four unequally-weighted basket components, with each basket component having the weighting noted parenthetically:

 

   

the S&P 500® Index (60%), an equity index that is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement in the large capitalization segment of the United States equity market;

 

   

the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF (25%), an exchange traded fund that seeks to track the MSCI EAFE® Index (an equity index that is designed to measure equity performance in developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada);

 

   

the Russell 2000® Index (10%), an equity index that is designed to reflect the performance of the small capitalization segment of the United States equity market; and

 

   

the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (5%), an exchange traded fund that seeks to track the MSCI Emerging Markets IndexSM (an equity index that is designed to measure equity performance in global emerging markets).

You should read this pricing supplement together with the market measure supplement dated March 18, 2015, the prospectus supplement dated March 18, 2015 and the prospectus dated March 18, 2015 for additional information about the securities. Information included in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the market measure supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus to the extent it is different from that information. Certain defined terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the prospectus supplement.

You may access the market measure supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus on the SEC website www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filing for the relevant date on the SEC website):

 

 

Market Measure Supplement dated March 18, 2015 filed with the SEC on March  18, 2015:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72971/000119312515096591/d890724d424b2.htm

 

 

Prospectus Supplement dated March 18, 2015 and Prospectus dated March 18, 2015 filed with the SEC on March  18, 2015:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72971/000119312515096449/d890684d424b2.htm

 

 

The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”), and has been licensed for use by Wells Fargo & Company (“WFC”). Standard & Poor’s®, S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC (“S&P”); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by WFC. The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, their respective affiliates, and none of such parties make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s) nor do they have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P 500 Index.

iShares® is a registered mark of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (“BTC”). The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by BTC, its affiliate, BlackRock Fund Advisors (“BFA”), iShares Trust or iShares, Inc. None of BTC, BFA, iShares Trust or iShares, Inc. makes any representations or warranties to the holders of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in the securities. None of BTC, BFA, iShares Trust or iShares, Inc. will have any obligation or liability in connection with the registration, operation, marketing, trading or sale of the securities or in connection with Wells Fargo & Company’s use of information about the iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF and the iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF.

“Russell 2000®” is a trademark of Frank Russell Company, doing business as Russell Investment Group (“Russell”), and has been licensed for use by us. The securities, based on the performance of the Russell 2000® Index, are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Russell and Russell makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the securities.

 

PRS-2


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Investment Description (Continued)

 

The original offering price of each security of $1,000 includes certain costs that are borne by you. Because of these costs, the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date will be less than the original offering price. The costs included in the original offering price relate to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the securities, as well as to our funding considerations for debt of this type.

The costs related to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the securities include (i) the agent discount, (ii) the projected profit that our hedge counterparty (which may be one of our affiliates) expects to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities and (iii) hedging and other costs relating to the offering of the securities.

Our funding considerations take into account the higher issuance, operational and ongoing management costs of market-linked debt such as the securities as compared to our conventional debt of the same maturity, as well as our liquidity needs and preferences. Our funding considerations are reflected in the fact that we determine the economic terms of the securities based on an assumed funding rate that is generally lower than the interest rates implied by secondary market prices for our debt obligations and/or by other traded instruments referencing our debt obligations, which we refer to as our “secondary market rates.” As discussed below, our secondary market rates are used in determining the estimated value of the securities.

If the costs relating to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the securities were lower, or if the assumed funding rate we use to determine the economic terms of the securities were higher, the economic terms of the securities would be more favorable to you and the estimated value would be higher. The estimated value of the securities as of the pricing date will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.

Determining the estimated value

Our affiliate, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“WFS”), calculated the estimated value of the securities set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement based on its proprietary pricing models. Based on these pricing models and related market inputs and assumptions referred to in this section below, WFS determined an estimated value for the securities by estimating the value of the combination of hypothetical financial instruments that would replicate the payout on the securities, which combination consists of a non-interest bearing, fixed-income bond (the “debt component”) and one or more derivative instruments underlying the economic terms of the securities (the “derivative component”).

The estimated value of the debt component is based on a reference interest rate, determined by WFS as of a recent date, that generally tracks our secondary market rates. Because WFS does not continuously calculate our reference interest rate, the reference interest rate used in the calculation of the estimated value of the debt component may be higher or lower than our secondary market rates at the time of that calculation. As noted above, we determine the economic terms of the securities based upon an assumed funding rate that is generally lower than our secondary market rates. In contrast, in determining the estimated value of the securities, we value the debt component using a reference interest rate that generally tracks our secondary market rates. Because the reference interest rate is generally higher than the assumed funding rate, using the reference interest rate to value the debt component generally results in a lower estimated value for the debt component, which we believe more closely approximates a market valuation of the debt component than if we had used the assumed funding rate.

WFS calculated the estimated value of the derivative component based on a proprietary derivative-pricing model, which generated a theoretical price for the derivative instruments that constitute the derivative component based on various inputs, including the “derivative component factors” identified in “Risk Factors—The Value Of The Securities Prior To Stated Maturity Will Be Affected By Numerous Factors, Some Of Which Are Related In Complex Ways.” These inputs may be market-observable or may be based on assumptions made by WFS in its discretion.

The estimated value of the securities determined by WFS is subject to important limitations. See “Risk Factors—The Estimated Value Of The Securities Is Determined By Our Affiliate’s Pricing Models, Which May Differ From Those Of Other Dealers” and “—Our Economic Interests And Those Of Any Dealer Participating In The Offering Are Potentially Adverse To Your Interests.”

 

PRS-3


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Investment Description (Continued)

 

Valuation of the securities after issuance

The estimated value of the securities is not an indication of the price, if any, at which WFS or any other person may be willing to buy the securities from you in the secondary market. The price, if any, at which WFS or any of its affiliates may purchase the securities in the secondary market will be based upon WFS’s proprietary pricing models and will fluctuate over the term of the securities due to changes in market conditions and other relevant factors. However, absent changes in these market conditions and other relevant factors, except as otherwise described in the following paragraph, any secondary market price will be lower than the estimated value on the pricing date because the secondary market price will be reduced by a bid-offer spread, which may vary depending on the aggregate face amount of the securities to be purchased in the secondary market transaction, and the expected cost of unwinding any related hedging transactions. Accordingly, unless market conditions and other relevant factors change significantly in your favor, any secondary market price for the securities is likely to be less than the original offering price.

If WFS or any of its affiliates makes a secondary market in the securities at any time up to the issue date or during the 3-month period following the issue date, the secondary market price offered by WFS or any of its affiliates will be increased by an amount reflecting a portion of the costs associated with selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the securities that are included in the original offering price. Because this portion of the costs is not fully deducted upon issuance, any secondary market price offered by WFS or any of its affiliates during this period will be higher than it would be if it were based solely on WFS’s proprietary pricing models less the bid-offer spread and hedging unwind costs described above. The amount of this increase in the secondary market price will decline steadily to zero over this 3-month period. If you hold the securities through an account at WFS or any of its affiliates, we expect that this increase will also be reflected in the value indicated for the securities on your brokerage account statement.

If WFS or any of its affiliates makes a secondary market in the securities, WFS expects to provide those secondary market prices to any unaffiliated broker-dealers through which the securities are held and to commercial pricing vendors. If you hold your securities through an account at a broker-dealer other than WFS or any of its affiliates, that broker-dealer may obtain market prices for the securities from WFS (directly or indirectly), but could also obtain such market prices from other sources, and may be willing to purchase the securities at any given time at a price that differs from the price at which WFS or any of its affiliates is willing to purchase the securities. As a result, if you hold your securities through an account at a broker-dealer other than WFS or any of its affiliates, the value of the securities on your brokerage account statement may be different than if you held your securities at WFS or any of its affiliates.

The securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. Although WFS and/or its affiliates may buy the securities from investors, they are not obligated to do so and are not required to make a market for the securities. There can be no assurance that a secondary market will develop.

 

PRS-4


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Investor Considerations

We have designed the securities for investors who:

 

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seek 150% leveraged exposure to the upside performance of the Basket if the ending level is greater than the starting level, subject to the maximum total return at maturity of 17.60% to 19.60% (to be determined on the pricing date) of the original offering price;

 

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desire to limit downside exposure to the Basket through the 10% buffer;

 

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understand that if the ending level is less than the starting level by more than 10%, they will receive less, and possibly 90% less, than the original offering price per security at maturity;

 

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are willing to forgo interest payments on the securities, dividends on shares of the ETF components and dividends on securities included in the index components; and

 

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are willing to hold the securities until maturity.

The securities are not designed for, and may not be a suitable investment for, investors who:

 

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seek a liquid investment or are unable or unwilling to hold the securities to maturity;

 

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are unwilling to accept the risk that the ending level of the Basket may decrease by more than 10% from the starting level;

 

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seek uncapped exposure to the upside performance of the Basket;

 

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seek full return of the original offering price of the securities at stated maturity;

 

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are unwilling to purchase securities with an estimated value as of the pricing date that is lower than the original offering price and that may be as low as the lower estimated value set forth on the cover page;

 

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seek current income;

 

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are unwilling to accept the risk of exposure to the equity markets, including the United States equity market, foreign developed equity markets and foreign emerging equity markets;

 

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seek exposure to the Basket but are unwilling to accept the risk/return trade-offs inherent in the payment at stated maturity for the securities;

 

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are unwilling to accept the credit risk of Wells Fargo to obtain exposure to the Basket generally, or to the exposure to the Basket that the securities provide specifically; or

 

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prefer the lower risk of fixed income investments with comparable maturities issued by companies with comparable credit ratings.

 

PRS-5


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Terms of the Securities

 

  Market Measure:   

A basket (the “Basket”) comprised of the following basket components, with the return of each basket component having the weighting noted parenthetically: the S&P 500 Index (60%); the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (25%); the Russell 2000 Index (10%); and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (5%). The S&P 500 Index and the Russell 2000 Index are collectively referred to herein as the “index components” and the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF are collectively referred to herein as the “ETF components.”

 

  Pricing Date:   

January 21, 2016*

 

  Issue Date:   

January 26, 2016* (T+3)

 

  Original Offering  

  Price:

 

  

$1,000 per security. References in this pricing supplement to a “security” are to a security with a face amount of $1,000.

 

  Redemption

  Amount:

  

On the stated maturity date, you will be entitled to receive a cash payment per security in U.S. dollars equal to the redemption amount. The “redemption amount” per security will equal:

 

  

 

if the ending level is greater than the starting level: the lesser of:

 

    

(i)    $1,000 plus:

 

        

$1,000  × 

        ending level – starting level         

    × participation rate    

     

; and

 
              

 

starting level

              
    

 

(ii)    the capped value;

 

  

 

 

 

if the ending level is less than or equal to the starting level, but greater than or equal to the threshold level: $1,000; or

 

  

 

if the ending level is less than the threshold level: $1,000 minus:

 

              

$1,000    ×

  threshold level – ending level          
                

 

starting level

         
  

 

If the ending level is less than the threshold level, you will receive less, and possibly 90% less, than the original offering price of your securities at maturity.

 

  

All calculations with respect to the redemption amount will be rounded to the nearest one hundred-thousandth, with five one-millionths rounded upward (e.g., 0.000005 would be rounded to 0.00001); and the redemption amount will be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent rounded upward.

 

  Stated Maturity

  Date:

  

July 26, 2017*. If the calculation day is postponed for any basket component, the stated maturity date will be the later of (i) July 26, 2017* and (ii) the third business day after the final postponed calculation day. See “—Calculation Day” and “Additional Terms of the Securities—Market Disruption Events” for information about the circumstances that may result in a postponement of the calculation day. If the stated maturity date is not a business day, any payment required to be made on the securities on the stated maturity date will be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if it had been made on the stated maturity date. The securities are not subject to redemption by Wells Fargo or repayment at the option of any holder of the securities prior to the stated maturity date.

 

  Calculation Day:   

July 21, 2017*. If such day is not a trading day with respect to a basket component, the calculation day for such basket component will be postponed to the next succeeding trading day for such basket component. Notwithstanding the postponement of the calculation day for a particular basket component due to a non-trading day for such basket component, the originally scheduled calculation day will remain the calculation day for any basket component not affected by such non-trading day. The calculation day is also subject to postponement due to the occurrence of a market disruption event. See “Additional Terms of the Securities—Market Disruption Events.”

 

 

 

*

To the extent that we make any change to the expected pricing date or expected issue date, the calculation day and stated maturity date may also be changed in our discretion to ensure that the term of the securities remains the same.

 

PRS-6


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Terms of the Securities (Continued)

 

  Starting Level:

 

 

The “starting level” is 100.

 

  Ending Level:  

The “ending level” will be calculated based on the weighted returns of the basket components and will be equal to the product of (i) 100 and (ii) an amount equal to 1 plus the sum of: (A) 60% of the component return of the S&P 500 Index; (B) 25% of the component return of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF; (C) 10% of the component return of the Russell 2000 Index; and (D) 5% of the component return of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF.

 

  Component Returns

  of the Index

  Components:

 

The “component return” of an index component will be equal to:

 

  final component level – initial component level
 

initial component level

 

 

where,

 

 

 

the “initial component level” will be the closing level of such  index component on the pricing date; and    

 

 

 

the “final component level” will be the closing level of such index component on the calculation day.

 

 

The “closing level” of an index component on any trading day means the official closing level of that index component reported by the relevant index sponsor on such trading day, as obtained by the calculation agent on such trading day from the licensed third-party market data vendor contracted by the calculation agent at such time; in particular, taking into account the decimal precision and/or rounding convention employed by such licensed third-party market data vendor on such date. Currently, the calculation agent obtains market data from Thomson Reuters Ltd., but the calculation agent may change its market data vendor at any time without notice. The foregoing provisions of this definition of “closing level” are subject to the provisions set forth below under “Additional Terms of the Securities—Market Disruption Events,” “—Adjustments to an Index Component” and “—Discontinuance of an Index Component.”

 

  Component Returns

  of the ETF   Components:

 

The “component return” of an ETF component will be equal to:

 

  final component price – initial component price
 

initial component price

 

 

where,

 

 

 

the “initial component price” will be the fund closing price of such ETF component on the pricing date; and

 

 

 

the “final component price” will be the fund closing price of such ETF component on the calculation day.

 

 

The “fund closing price” with respect to an ETF component on any trading day means the product of (i) the closing price of one share of such ETF component (or one unit of any other security for which a fund closing price must be determined) on such trading day and (ii) the adjustment factor applicable to such ETF component on such trading day.

 

 

The “closing price” with respect to a share of an ETF component (or one unit of any other security for which a closing price must be determined) on any trading day means the price, at the scheduled weekday closing time, without regard to after hours or any other trading outside the regular trading session hours, of the share on the principal United States securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on which the share (or any such other security) is listed or admitted to trading.

 

 

The “adjustment factor” means, with respect to a share of an ETF component (or one unit of any other security for which a fund closing price must be determined), 1.0, subject to adjustment in the event of certain events affecting the shares of the ETF components. See “Additional Terms of the Securities—Anti-dilution Adjustments Relating to an ETF Component; Alternate Calculation” below.

 

 

PRS-7


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Terms of the Securities (Continued)

 

  Capped Value:   

The “capped value” will be determined on the pricing date and will be within the range of 117.60% to 119.60% of the original offering price per security ($1,176.00 to $1,196.00 per security). As a result of the capped value, the maximum total return at maturity of the securities will be 17.60% to 19.60% of the original offering price.

 

  Threshold Level:   

90, which is equal to 90% of the starting level.

 

  Participation Rate:   

150%

 

  Calculation Agent:   

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

  Material Tax

  Consequences:

  

For a discussion of the material U.S. federal income and certain estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities, see “United States Federal Tax Considerations.”

 

  Agent:   

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company. The agent may resell the securities to other securities dealers at the original offering price of the securities less a concession not in excess of $6.00 per security.

 

  

The agent or another affiliate of ours expects to realize hedging profits projected by its proprietary pricing models to the extent it assumes the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities. If any dealer participating in the distribution of the securities or any of its affiliates conducts hedging activities for us in connection with the securities, that dealer or its affiliate will expect to realize a profit projected by its proprietary pricing models from such hedging activities. Any such projected profit will be in addition to any discount or concession received in connection with the sale of the securities to you.

 

  Denominations:   

$1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000.

 

  CUSIP:   

94986RE49

 

 

PRS-8


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Determining Payment at Stated Maturity

On the stated maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per security (the redemption amount) calculated as follows:

 

LOGO

 

PRS-9


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Hypothetical Payout Profile

The following profile is based on a hypothetical capped value of 118.60% or $1,186.00 per security (the midpoint of the specified range for the capped value), a participation rate of 150% and a threshold level equal to 90% of the starting level. This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only. Your actual return will depend on the actual ending level, the actual capped value and whether you hold your securities to maturity.

 

LOGO

 

PRS-10


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Risk Factors

The securities have complex features and investing in the securities will involve risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below as well as the other information contained in this pricing supplement and the accompanying market measure supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, including the documents they incorporate by reference. As described in more detail below, the value of the securities may vary considerably before the stated maturity date due to events that are difficult to predict and are beyond our control. You should reach an investment decision only after you have carefully considered with your advisors the suitability of an investment in the securities in light of your particular circumstances. The indices underlying the ETF components are sometimes referred to collectively as the “ETF underlying indices” and each individually as an “ETF underlying index.”

If The Ending Level Is Less Than The Threshold Level, You Will Receive Less, And Possibly 90% Less, Than The Original Offering Price Of Your Securities At Maturity.

We will not repay you a fixed amount on the securities on the stated maturity date. The redemption amount will depend on the direction of and percentage change in the ending level of the Basket relative to the starting level and the other terms of the securities. Because the level of the Basket will be subject to market fluctuations, the redemption amount you receive may be more or less, and possibly significantly less, than the original offering price of your securities.

If the ending level is less than the threshold level, the redemption amount that you receive at stated maturity will be reduced by an amount equal to the decline in the value of the Basket to the extent it is below the threshold level (expressed as a percentage of the starting level). The threshold level is 90% of the starting level. As a result, you may receive less, and possibly 90% less, than the original offering price per security at maturity even if the value of the Basket is greater than or equal to the starting level or the threshold level at certain times during the term of the securities.

Even if the ending level is greater than the starting level, the amount you receive at stated maturity may only be slightly greater than the original offering price, and your yield on the securities may be less than the yield you would earn if you bought a traditional interest-bearing debt security of Wells Fargo or another issuer with a similar credit rating with the same stated maturity date.

No Periodic Interest Will Be Paid On The Securities.

No periodic payments of interest will be made on the securities. However, if the agreed-upon tax treatment is successfully challenged by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), you may be required to recognize taxable income over the term of the securities. You should review the section of this pricing supplement entitled “United States Federal Tax Considerations.”

Your Return Will Be Limited By The Capped Value And May Be Lower Than The Return On A Direct Investment In The Basket.

The opportunity to participate in the possible increases in the value of the Basket through an investment in the securities will be limited because the redemption amount will not exceed the capped value. Furthermore, the effect of the participation rate will be progressively reduced for all ending levels exceeding the ending level at which the capped value is reached.

The Securities Are Subject To The Credit Risk Of Wells Fargo.

The securities are our obligations and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. Any amounts payable under the securities are subject to our creditworthiness, and you will have no ability to pursue the shares of the ETF components, any securities held by the ETF components or any securities included in the index components for payment. As a result, our actual and perceived creditworthiness may affect the value of the securities and, in the event we were to default on our obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the securities.

The Estimated Value Of The Securities On The Pricing Date, Based On WFS’s Proprietary Pricing Models, Will Be Less Than The Original Offering Price.

The original offering price of the securities includes certain costs that are borne by you. Because of these costs, the estimated value of the securities on the pricing date will be less than the original offering price. The costs included in the original offering price relate to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the securities, as well as to our funding considerations for debt of this type. The costs related to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the securities include (i) the agent discount, (ii) the projected profit that our hedge counterparty (which may be one of our affiliates) expects to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities and (iii) hedging and other costs relating to the offering of the securities. Our funding considerations are reflected in the fact that we determine the economic terms of the securities based on an assumed funding rate that is generally lower than our secondary market rates. If the costs relating to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the securities were lower, or if the assumed funding rate we use to determine the economic terms of the securities were higher, the economic terms of the securities would be more favorable to you and the estimated value would be higher.

 

PRS-11


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Risk Factors (Continued)

 

The Estimated Value Of The Securities Is Determined By Our Affiliate’s Pricing Models, Which May Differ From Those Of Other Dealers.

The estimated value of the securities was determined for us by WFS using its proprietary pricing models and related market inputs and assumptions referred to above under “Investment Description—Determining the estimated value.” Certain inputs to these models may be determined by WFS in its discretion. WFS’s views on these inputs may differ from other dealers’ views, and WFS’s estimated value of the securities may be higher, and perhaps materially higher, than the estimated value of the securities that would be determined by other dealers in the market. WFS’s models and its inputs and related assumptions may prove to be wrong and therefore not an accurate reflection of the value of the securities.

The Estimated Value Of The Securities Is Not An Indication Of The Price, If Any, At Which WFS Or Any Other Person May Be Willing To Buy The Securities From You In The Secondary Market.

The price, if any, at which WFS or any of its affiliates may purchase the securities in the secondary market will be based on WFS’s proprietary pricing models and will fluctuate over the term of the securities as a result of changes in the market and other factors described in the next risk factor. Any such secondary market price for the securities will also be reduced by a bid-offer spread, which may vary depending on the aggregate face amount of the securities to be purchased in the secondary market transaction, and the expected cost of unwinding any related hedging transactions. Unless the factors described in the next risk factor change significantly in your favor, any such secondary market price for the securities is likely to be less than the original offering price.

If WFS or any of its affiliates makes a secondary market in the securities at any time up to the issue date or during the 3-month period following the issue date, the secondary market price offered by WFS or any of its affiliates will be increased by an amount reflecting a portion of the costs associated with selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the securities that are included in the original offering price. Because this portion of the costs is not fully deducted upon issuance, any secondary market price offered by WFS or any of its affiliates during this period will be higher than it would be if it were based solely on WFS’s proprietary pricing models less the bid-offer spread and hedging unwind costs described above. The amount of this increase in the secondary market price will decline steadily to zero over this 3-month period. If you hold the securities through an account at WFS or any of its affiliates, we expect that this increase will also be reflected in the value indicated for the securities on your brokerage account statement. If you hold your securities through an account at a broker-dealer other than WFS or any of its affiliates, the value of the securities on your brokerage account statement may be different than if you held your securities at WFS or any of its affiliates, as discussed above under “Investment Description.”

The Value Of The Securities Prior To Stated Maturity Will Be Affected By Numerous Factors, Some Of Which Are Related In Complex Ways.

The value of the securities prior to stated maturity will be affected by the value of the Basket at that time, interest rates at that time and a number of other factors, some of which are interrelated in complex ways. The effect of any one factor may be offset or magnified by the effect of another factor. The following factors, which we refer to as the “derivative component factors,” are expected to affect the value of the securities. When we refer to the “value” of your security, we mean the value you could receive for your security if you are able to sell it in the open market before the stated maturity date.

 

   

Basket Performance. The value of the securities prior to maturity will depend substantially on the value of the Basket. The price at which you may be able to sell the securities before stated maturity may be at a discount, which could be substantial, from their original offering price, if the value of the Basket at such time is less than, equal to or not sufficiently above the starting level or threshold level.

 

   

Interest Rates. The value of the securities may be affected by changes in the interest rates in the U.S. markets.

 

   

Volatility Of The Basket. Volatility is the term used to describe the size and frequency of market fluctuations. The value of the securities may be affected if the volatility of the Basket or the basket components changes.

 

   

Correlation Among Basket Components. Correlation refers to the extent to which the levels or prices of the basket components, as applicable, tend to fluctuate at the same time, in the same direction and in similar magnitudes. The correlation among basket components may be positive, zero or negative. The value of the securities may be affected if the correlation of the basket components changes.

 

   

Time Remaining To Maturity. The value of the securities at any given time prior to maturity will likely be different from that which would be expected based on the then-current value of the Basket. This difference will most likely reflect a discount due to expectations and uncertainty concerning the value of the Basket during the period of time still remaining to the stated maturity date.

 

PRS-12


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Risk Factors (Continued)

 

   

Dividend Yields On Securities Included In The Basket Components. The value of the securities may be affected by the dividend yields on securities included in the index components and the dividend yields on the securities held by the ETF components (the amount of such dividends may influence the closing price of the shares of an ETF component).

 

   

Currency Exchange Rates. Since the ETF components include securities quoted in one or more foreign currencies and the fund closing prices of the ETF components are based on the U.S. dollar value of such securities, the value of the securities may be affected if the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and any such foreign currency changes.

In addition to the derivative component factors, the value of the securities will be affected by actual or anticipated changes in our creditworthiness, as reflected in our secondary market rates. You should understand that the impact of one of the factors specified above, such as a change in interest rates, may offset some or all of any change in the value of the securities attributable to another factor, such as a change in the value of the Basket. Because numerous factors are expected to affect the value of the securities, changes in the value of the Basket may not result in a comparable change in the value of the securities. We anticipate that the value of the securities will always be at a discount to the capped value.

The Securities Will Not Be Listed On Any Securities Exchange And We Do Not Expect A Trading Market For The Securities To Develop.

The securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. Although the agent and/or its affiliates may purchase the securities from holders, they are not obligated to do so and are not required to make a market for the securities. There can be no assurance that a secondary market will develop. Because we do not expect that any market makers will participate in a secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to sell your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which the agent is willing to buy your securities.

If a secondary market does exist, it may be limited. Accordingly, there may be a limited number of buyers if you decide to sell your securities prior to stated maturity. This may affect the price you receive upon such sale. Consequently, you should be willing to hold the securities to stated maturity.

Your Return On The Securities Could Be Less Than If You Owned The Shares Of The ETF Components And The Securities Included In The Index Components.

Your return on the securities will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of the ETF components and the securities included in the index components and received the dividends and other payments paid on those securities. This is in part because the redemption amount will be determined by reference only to the ending level of the Basket, which will be calculated by reference to (i) with respect to an ETF component, the closing price of a share (or other applicable security) of such ETF component without taking into consideration the value of dividends and other distributions paid on such share and (ii) with respect to an index component, the prices of the securities in such index component without taking into consideration the value of dividends and other payments paid on those securities. In addition, the redemption amount will not be greater than the capped value.

Historical Levels And Prices Of The Basket Components Should Not Be Taken As An Indication Of The Future Performance Of The Basket Components During The Term Of The Securities.

The trading prices of the securities included in the index components and the trading prices of the shares of the ETF components will determine the redemption amount payable to you at maturity. As a result, it is impossible to predict whether the final component levels and final component prices, as applicable, of the basket components will fall or rise compared to their respective initial component levels and initial component prices, as applicable. Trading prices of the securities included in the index components and of shares of the ETF components will be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors that can affect the markets in which those securities, ETF components and the securities comprising the ETF components are traded and the values of such securities, the ETF components and the securities comprising the ETF components. Accordingly, any historical levels or prices of the basket components, as applicable, do not provide an indication of the future performance of the basket components.

Changes That Affect The Index Components May Adversely Affect The Value Of The Securities And The Redemption Amount You Will Receive At Stated Maturity.

The policies of an index sponsor concerning the calculation of the relevant index component and the addition, deletion or substitution of securities comprising the index component and the manner in which an index sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting such securities may affect the level of such index component and the value of the Basket and, therefore, may affect the value of the securities and the redemption amount payable at maturity. An index sponsor may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of the relevant index component or materially alter the methodology by which it calculates such index component. Any such actions could adversely affect the value of the securities.

 

PRS-13


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Risk Factors (Continued)

 

Changes That Affect The ETF Components Or The ETF Underlying Indices May Adversely Affect The Value Of The Securities And The Redemption Amount You Will Receive At Stated Maturity.

The policies of the sponsor of an ETF component (a “fund sponsor”) concerning the calculation of such ETF component’s net asset value, additions, deletions or substitutions of securities in such ETF component and the manner in which changes in the applicable ETF underlying index are reflected in such ETF component, and changes in those policies, could affect the closing price of the shares of such ETF component and, therefore, may affect the value of the securities and the redemption amount payable at maturity. Similarly, the policies of the sponsor of an ETF underlying index concerning the calculation of such ETF underlying index and the addition, deletion or substitution of securities comprising such ETF underlying index and the manner in which such ETF underlying index sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting such securities may affect the level of such ETF underlying index and the closing price of the shares of such ETF component and, therefore, may affect the value of the securities and the redemption amount payable at maturity. The ETF underlying index sponsor could also discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of such ETF underlying index or materially alter the methodology by which it calculates such ETF underlying index. Any such actions could adversely affect the value of the securities.

We Cannot Control Actions By Any Of The Unaffiliated Companies Whose Securities Are Included In The Basket Components Or The ETF Underlying Indices.

Actions by any company whose securities are included in a basket component or in an ETF underlying index may have an adverse effect on the price of its security, the closing level or closing price of such basket component, as applicable, on the calculation day, the ending level and the value of the securities. We are one of the companies included in the S&P 500 Index, but we are not affiliated with any of the other companies included in the index components or whose security is represented in the ETF components or the ETF underlying indices. These companies will not be involved in the offering of the securities and will have no obligations with respect to the securities, including any obligation to take our or your interests into consideration for any reason. These companies will not receive any of the proceeds of the offering of the securities and will not be responsible for, and will not have participated in, the determination of the timing of, prices for, or quantities of, the securities to be issued. These companies will not be involved with the administration, marketing or trading of the securities and will have no obligations with respect to any amounts to be paid to you on the securities.

We And Our Affiliates Have No Affiliation With Any Index Sponsor, Fund Sponsor Or ETF Underlying Index Sponsor And Have Not Independently Verified Their Public Disclosure Of Information.

We and our affiliates are not affiliated in any way with any of the index sponsors, fund sponsors or ETF underlying index sponsors (collectively, the “sponsors”) and have no ability to control or predict their actions, including any errors in or discontinuation of disclosure regarding the methods or policies relating to the calculation of the basket components. We have derived the information about the sponsors and the basket components contained in this pricing supplement from publicly available information, without independent verification. You, as an investor in the securities, should make your own investigation into the basket components and the sponsors. The sponsors are not involved in the offering of the securities made hereby in any way and have no obligation to consider your interest as an owner of the securities in taking any actions that might affect the value of the securities.

An Investment Linked To The Shares Of An ETF Component Is Different From An Investment Linked To The Related ETF Underlying Index.

The performance of the shares of an ETF component may not exactly replicate the performance of the related ETF underlying index because such ETF component may not invest in all of the securities included in the related ETF underlying index and because such ETF component will reflect transaction costs and fees that are not included in the calculation of the related ETF underlying index. An ETF component may also hold securities or derivative financial instruments not included in the related ETF underlying index. It is also possible that an ETF component may not fully replicate the performance of the applicable ETF underlying index due to the temporary unavailability of certain securities in the secondary market or due to other extraordinary circumstances. In addition, because the shares of an ETF component are traded on a securities exchange and are subject to market supply and investor demand, the value of a share of an ETF component may differ from the net asset value per share of such ETF component. As a result, the performance of an ETF component may not correlate perfectly with the performance of the related ETF underlying index, and the return on the securities based in part on the performance of the ETF components will not be the same as the return on securities based in part on the performance of the related ETF underlying indices.

You Will Not Have Any Shareholder Rights With Respect To The Shares Of Any ETF Component.

You will not become a holder of shares of any ETF component or a holder of securities included in the related ETF underlying indices as a result of owning a security. You will not have any voting rights, any right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to such shares or securities. At stated maturity, you will have no right to receive delivery of any shares or securities.

 

PRS-14


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Risk Factors (Continued)

 

Anti-dilution Adjustments Relating To The Shares Of An ETF Component Do Not Address Every Event That Could Affect Such Shares.

An adjustment factor, as described herein, will be used to determine the fund closing prices of the ETF components. The adjustment factor will be adjusted by the calculation agent for certain events affecting the shares of the applicable ETF component. However, the calculation agent will not make an adjustment for every event that could affect such shares. If an event occurs that does not require the calculation agent to adjust the adjustment factor, the value of the securities may be adversely affected.

Changes In The Levels and Prices Of One Or More Basket Components May Offset Each Other.

Fluctuations in the levels and prices, as applicable, of the basket components may not correlate with each other. Even if the level or price, as applicable, of a basket component increases, the levels or prices, as applicable, of the other basket components may not increase as much or may even decline. Therefore, in calculating the ending level, an increase in the level or price, as applicable, of a basket component may be moderated, or wholly offset, by lesser increases or declines in the levels or prices, as applicable, of the other basket components. This may be particularly the case with respect to the S&P 500 Index, since it has a 60% weighting in the Basket.

An Investment In The Securities Is Subject To Risks Associated With Foreign Securities Markets.

The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF include the stocks of foreign companies and you should be aware that investments in securities linked to the value of foreign equity securities involve particular risks. Foreign securities markets may have less liquidity and may be more volatile than the U.S. securities markets, and market developments may affect foreign markets differently than U.S. securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize a foreign securities market, as well as cross-shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading prices and volumes in those markets. Also, there is generally less publicly available information about non-U.S. companies that are not subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and non-U.S. companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.

The prices and performance of securities of non-U.S. companies are subject to political, economic, financial, military and social factors which could negatively affect foreign securities markets, including the possibility of recent or future changes in a foreign government’s economic, monetary and fiscal policies, the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions applicable to foreign companies or investments in foreign equity securities, the possibility of imposition of withholding taxes on dividend income, the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of exchange between currencies, the possibility of outbreaks of hostility or political instability and the possibility of natural disaster or adverse public health developments. Moreover, the relevant non-U.S. economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in important respects, such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, trade surpluses or deficits, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.

In addition, the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF includes companies in countries with emerging markets. Countries with emerging markets may have relatively unstable governments, may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, restrictions on foreign ownership and prohibitions on the repatriation of assets, and may have less protection of property rights than more developed countries. The economies of countries with emerging markets may be based on only a few industries, may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions (due to economic dependence upon commodity prices and international trade), and may suffer from extreme and volatile debt burdens, currency devaluations or inflation rates. Local securities markets may trade a small number of securities and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume, potentially making prompt liquidation of holdings difficult or impossible at times.

The securities included in the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF may be listed on a foreign stock exchange. A foreign stock exchange may impose trading limitations intended to prevent extreme fluctuations in individual security prices and may suspend trading in certain circumstances. These actions could limit variations in the closing prices of such basket components which could, in turn, adversely affect the value of the securities.

Exchange Rate Movements May Impact The Value Of The Securities.

The securities will be denominated in U.S. dollars. Since the value of securities included in the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF is quoted in a currency other than U.S. dollars and, as per such basket components, is converted into U.S. dollars, the amount payable on the securities on the maturity date will depend in part on the relevant exchange rates.

An Investment In The Securities Is Subject To Risks Associated With Investing In Stocks With A Small Market Capitalization.

The stocks that constitute the Russell 2000 Index are issued by companies with relatively small market capitalization. These companies often have greater stock price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than large capitalization companies. As a result, the Russell 2000 Index may be more volatile than that of an equity index that does not track solely small capitalization stocks. Stock prices of small capitalization companies are also generally more vulnerable than those of large capitalization companies to

 

PRS-15


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Risk Factors (Continued)

 

adverse business and economic developments, and the stocks of small capitalization companies may be thinly traded, and be less attractive to many investors if they do not pay dividends. In addition, small capitalization companies are typically less well-established and less stable financially than large capitalization companies and may depend on a small number of key personnel, making them more vulnerable to loss of those individuals. Small capitalization companies tend to have lower revenues, less diverse product lines, smaller shares of their target markets, fewer financial resources and fewer competitive strengths than large capitalization companies. These companies may also be more susceptible to adverse developments related to their products or services.

The Stated Maturity Date May Be Postponed If The Calculation Day Is Postponed.

The calculation day with respect to a basket component will be postponed if the originally scheduled calculation day is not a trading day with respect to that basket component or if the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event has occurred or is continuing with respect to that basket component on the calculation day. If such a postponement occurs, the stated maturity date will be the later of (i) the initial stated maturity date and (ii) three business days after the final postponed calculation day.

Our Economic Interests And Those Of Any Dealer Participating In The Offering Are Potentially Adverse To Your Interests.

You should be aware of the following ways in which our economic interests and those of any dealer participating in the distribution of the securities, which we refer to as a “participating dealer,” are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities. In engaging in certain of the activities described below, our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may take actions that may adversely affect the value of and your return on the securities, and in so doing they will have no obligation to consider your interests as an investor in the securities. Our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may realize a profit from these activities even if investors do not receive a favorable investment return on the securities.

 

   

The calculation agent is our affiliate and may be required to make discretionary judgments that affect the return you receive on the securities. WFS, which is our affiliate, will be the calculation agent for the securities. As calculation agent, WFS will determine the ending level, the closing levels and fund closing prices, as applicable, of the basket components on the calculation day and may be required to make other determinations that affect the return you receive on the securities at maturity. In making these determinations, the calculation agent may be required to make discretionary judgments, including determining whether a market disruption event has occurred with respect to a basket component on the scheduled calculation day, which may result in postponement of the calculation day with respect to that basket component; determining the closing level or fund closing price, as applicable, of a basket component if the calculation day is postponed with respect to that basket component to the last day to which it may be postponed and a market disruption event occurs with respect to that basket component on that day; adjusting the adjustment factor with respect to an ETF component and other terms of the securities in certain circumstances; if an index component is discontinued, selecting a successor index component or, if no successor index component is available, determining the closing level of that index component on the calculation day; if an ETF component undergoes a liquidation event, selecting a successor ETF component or, if no successor ETF component is available, determining the fund closing price of such ETF component; and determining whether to adjust the closing level or fund closing price, as applicable, of a basket component on the calculation day in the event of certain changes in or modifications to that basket component. In making these discretionary judgments, the fact that WFS is our affiliate may cause it to have economic interests that are adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities, and WFS’s determinations as calculation agent may adversely affect your return on the securities.

 

   

The estimated value of the securities was calculated by our affiliate and is therefore not an independent third-party valuation. WFS calculated the estimated value of the securities set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement, which involved discretionary judgments by WFS, as described under “Risk Factors—The Estimated Value Of The Securities Is Determined By Our Affiliate’s Pricing Models, Which May Differ From Those Of Other Dealers” above. Accordingly, the estimated value of the securities set forth on the cover page of this pricing supplement is not an independent third-party valuation.

 

   

Research reports by our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may be inconsistent with an investment in the securities and may adversely affect the levels and prices of the basket components. Our affiliates or any participating dealer in the offering of the securities or its affiliates may, at present or in the future, publish research reports on a basket component, a related ETF underlying index or the companies whose securities are included in a basket component or a related ETF underlying index. This research is modified from time to time without notice and may, at present or in the future, express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding the securities. Any research reports on a basket component, a related ETF underlying index or the companies whose securities are included in the basket components or a related ETF underlying index could adversely affect the level or price, as applicable, of such basket component and, therefore, adversely affect the value of and your return on the securities. You are encouraged to derive information concerning the basket components from multiple sources and should not rely on the views expressed by us or our

 

PRS-16


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Risk Factors (Continued)

 

 

affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates. In addition, any research reports on a basket component, a related ETF underlying index or the companies whose securities are included in the basket components or a related ETF underlying index published on or prior to the pricing date could result in an increase in the level or price, as applicable, of such basket component on the pricing date, which would adversely affect investors in the securities by increasing the level or price, as applicable, at which such basket component must close on the calculation day in order for investors in the securities to receive a favorable return.

 

   

Business activities of our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates with the companies whose securities are included in the basket components or ETF underlying indices may adversely affect the levels and prices of the basket components. Our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may, at present or in the future, engage in business with the companies whose securities are included in the basket components or the ETF underlying indices, including making loans to those companies (including exercising creditors’ remedies with respect to such loans), making equity investments in those companies or providing investment banking, asset management or other advisory services to those companies. These business activities could adversely affect the levels and prices, as applicable, of the basket components and, therefore, adversely affect the value of and your return on the securities. In addition, in the course of these business activities, our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may acquire non-public information about one or more of the companies whose securities are included in the basket components or the ETF underlying indices. If our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates do acquire such non-public information, we and they are not obligated to disclose such non-public information to you.

 

   

Hedging activities by our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may adversely affect the levels and prices of the basket components. We expect to hedge our obligations under the securities through one or more hedge counterparties, which may include our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates. Pursuant to such hedging activities, our hedge counterparties may acquire shares of the ETF components, securities included in the index components or ETF underlying indices or listed or over-the-counter derivative or synthetic instruments related to the basket components or such securities. Depending on, among other things, future market conditions, the aggregate amount and the composition of such positions are likely to vary over time. To the extent that our hedge counterparties have a long hedge position in shares of an ETF component, any of the securities included in the index components or ETF underlying indices, or derivative or synthetic instruments related to the basket components or such securities, they may liquidate a portion of such holdings at or about the time of the calculation day or at or about the time of a change in the securities included in the basket components or the ETF underlying indices. These hedging activities could potentially adversely affect the levels and prices, as applicable, of the basket components and, therefore, adversely affect the value of and your return on the securities.

 

   

Trading activities by our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may adversely affect the levels and prices of the basket components. Our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may engage in trading in the shares of the ETF components or the securities included in the index components or the ETF underlying indices and other instruments relating to the basket components or such securities on a regular basis as part of their general broker-dealer and other businesses. Any of these trading activities could potentially adversely affect the levels and prices, as applicable, of the basket components and, therefore, adversely affect the value of and your return on the securities.

 

   

A participating dealer or its affiliates may realize hedging profits projected by its proprietary pricing models in addition to any selling concession, creating a further incentive for the participating dealer to sell the securities to you. If any participating dealer or any of its affiliates conducts hedging activities for us in connection with the securities, that participating dealer or its affiliates will expect to realize a projected profit from such hedging activities and this projected profit will be in addition to any concession that the participating dealer realizes for the sale of the securities to you. This additional projected profit may create a further incentive for the participating dealer to sell the securities to you.

The U.S. Federal Tax Consequences Of An Investment In The Securities Are Unclear.

There is no direct legal authority regarding the proper U.S. federal tax treatment of the securities, and we do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS. Consequently, significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain, and the IRS or a court might not agree with the treatment of the securities as prepaid derivative contracts that are “open transactions” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, a security may be treated as a “constructive ownership transaction,” with potentially adverse consequences described below under “United States Federal Tax Considerations.” If the IRS were successful in asserting an alternative treatment of the securities, the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities might be materially and adversely affected. In addition, in 2007 the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on various issues regarding the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. Any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the

 

PRS-17


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Risk Factors (Continued)

 

securities, including the character and timing of income or loss and the degree, if any, to which income realized by non-U.S. persons should be subject to withholding tax, possibly with retroactive effect. You should read carefully the discussion under “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in this pricing supplement. You should also consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities, as well as tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

 

PRS-18


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Hypothetical Returns

The following table illustrates, for a hypothetical capped value of 118.60% or $1,186.00 per security (the midpoint of the specified range of the capped value) and a range of hypothetical ending levels of the Basket:

 

   

the hypothetical percentage change from the starting level to the hypothetical ending level;

 

   

the hypothetical redemption amount payable at stated maturity per security;

 

   

the hypothetical total pre-tax rate of return; and

 

   

the hypothetical pre-tax annualized rate of return.

 

Hypothetical

ending level

 

Hypothetical

percentage change

  from the starting level to the  

hypothetical ending level

 

Hypothetical

  redemption amount  

payable at

stated maturity

per security

 

Hypothetical

pre-tax total

rate of return

 

Hypothetical

pre-tax

annualized

rate of return(1)

175.00   75.00%   $1,186.00   18.60%   11.71%
150.00   50.00%   $1,186.00   18.60%   11.71%
140.00   40.00%   $1,186.00   18.60%   11.71%
130.00   30.00%   $1,186.00   18.60%   11.71%
120.00   20.00%   $1,186.00   18.60%   11.71%
115.00   15.00%   $1,186.00   18.60%   11.71%
112.40   12.40%   $1,186.00   18.60%   11.71%
110.00   10.00%   $1,150.00   15.00%   9.55%
105.00   5.00%   $1,075.00   7.50%   4.88%
100.00(2)   0.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
95.00   -5.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
90.00   -10.00%   $1,000.00   0.00%   0.00%
89.00   -11.00%   $990.00   -1.00%   -0.67%
85.00   -15.00%   $950.00   -5.00%   -3.39%
80.00   -20.00%   $900.00   -10.00%   -6.91%
70.00   -30.00%   $800.00   -20.00%   -14.35%
60.00   -40.00%   $700.00   -30.00%   -22.44%
50.00   -50.00%   $600.00   -40.00%   -31.34%
25.00   -75.00%   $350.00   -65.00%   -59.10%
(1) 

The annualized rates of return are calculated on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis with compounding.

(2) 

The starting level.

The above figures are for purposes of illustration only and may have been rounded for ease of analysis. The actual amount you receive at stated maturity and the resulting pre-tax rate of return will depend on the actual ending level and the actual capped value.

 

PRS-19


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Hypothetical Payments at Stated Maturity

Set forth below are four examples of payment at stated maturity calculations, reflecting a hypothetical capped value of 118.60% or $1,186.00 per security (the midpoint of the specified range for the capped value) and assuming component returns as indicated in the examples. These examples are for purposes of illustration only and the values used in the examples may have been rounded for ease of analysis.

Example 1. Redemption amount is greater than the original offering price but less than the capped value:

 

    S&P 500 Index   iShares MSCI EAFE
ETF
  Russell 2000 Index   iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets ETF

Initial Component Level or Price

  1859.33   $52.55   999.315   $28.25

Final Component Level or Price

  2045.26   $55.18   1149.212   $35.31

Component Return (%)

  10.00%   5.00%   15.00%   25.00%

Based on the component returns set forth above, the hypothetical ending level would equal:

100 x [1 + (60% × 10.00%) + (25% × 5.00%) + (10% × 15.00%) + (5% × 25.00%)] = 110.00

Since the hypothetical ending level is greater than the starting level, the redemption amount would equal:

 

$1,000  +           $1,000  ×               110.00 – 100.00        

  ×  150%  

     

  =  $1,150.00

            100.00            

On the stated maturity date you would receive $1,150.00 per security.

Example 2. Redemption amount is equal to the capped value:

 

    S&P 500 Index   iShares MSCI EAFE
ETF
  Russell 2000 Index   iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets ETF

Initial Component Level or Price

  1859.33   $52.55   999.315   $28.25

Final Component Level or Price

  2510.10   $63.06   1249.144   $36.73

Component Return (%)

  35.00%   20.00%   25.00%   30.00%

Based on the component returns set forth above, the hypothetical ending level would equal:

100 x [1 + (60% × 35.00%) + (25% × 20.00%) + (10% × 25.00%) + (5% × 30.00%)] = 130.00

The redemption amount would be equal to the capped value since the capped value is less than:

 

$1,000  +           $1,000  ×               130.00 – 100.00        

  ×  150%  

     

  =  $1,450.00

            100.00            

On the stated maturity date you would receive $1,186.00 per security.

In addition to limiting your return on the securities, the capped value limits the positive effect of the participation rate. If the ending level is greater than the starting level, you will participate in the performance of the Basket at a rate of 150% up to a certain point. However, the effect of the participation rate will be progressively reduced for ending levels that are greater than 112.40% of the starting level (assuming a capped value of 118.60% or $1,186.00 per security, the midpoint of the specified range for the capped value) since your return on the securities for any ending level greater than 112.40% of the starting level will be limited to the capped value.

 

PRS-20


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Hypothetical Payments at Stated Maturity (Continued)

 

Example 3. Redemption amount is equal to the original offering price:

 

    S&P 500 Index   iShares MSCI EAFE
ETF
  Russell 2000 Index   iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets ETF

Initial Component Level or Price

  1859.33   $52.55   999.315   $28.25

Final Component Level or Price

  1673.40   $55.18   1099.247   $32.49

Component Return (%)

  -10.00%   5.00%   10.00%   15.00%

Based on the component returns set forth above, the hypothetical ending level would equal:

100 x [1 + (60% × -10.00%) + (25% × 5.00%) + (10% × 10.00%) + (5% × 15.00%)] = 97.00

In this example, the 10.00% decrease in the S&P 500 Index has a significant impact on the ending level notwithstanding the percentage increase in the other basket components due to the 60% weighting of the S&P 500 Index.

Since the hypothetical ending level is less than the starting level, but not by more than 10%, you would not lose any of the original offering price of your securities.

On the stated maturity date you would receive $1,000.00 per security.

Example 4. Redemption amount is less than the original offering price:

 

    S&P 500 Index   iShares MSCI EAFE
ETF
  Russell 2000 Index   iShares MSCI
Emerging Markets ETF

Initial Component Level or Price

  1859.33   $52.55   999.315   $28.25

Final Component Level or Price

  1115.60   $28.90   649.555   $21.19

Component Return (%)

  -40.00%   -45.00%   -35.00%   -25.00%

Based on the component returns set forth above, the hypothetical ending level would equal:

100 x [1 + (60% × -40.00%) + (25% × -45.00%) + (10% × -35.00%) + (5% × -25.00%)] = 60.00

Since the hypothetical ending level is less than the starting level by more than 10%, you would lose a portion of the original offering price of your securities and receive the redemption amount equal to:

 

$1,000  -           $1,000  ×               90.00 – 60.00                  

  =  $700.00

            100.00            

On the stated maturity date you would receive $700.00 per security.

To the extent that the component returns, ending level and the actual capped value differ from the values assumed above, the results indicated above would be different.

 

PRS-21


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Additional Terms of the Securities

Wells Fargo will issue the securities as part of a series of senior unsecured debt securities entitled “Medium-Term Notes, Series K,” which is more fully described in the prospectus supplement. Information included in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the prospectus supplement and prospectus to the extent that it is different from that information.

Certain Definitions

A “trading day” with respect to an index component means a day, as determined by the calculation agent, on which (i) the relevant stock exchanges with respect to each security underlying such index component are scheduled to be open for trading for their respective regular trading sessions and (ii) each related futures or options exchange is scheduled to be open for trading for its regular trading session. The “relevant stock exchange” for any security underlying any index component means the primary exchange or quotation system on which such security is traded, as determined by the calculation agent. The “related futures or options exchange” for any index component means an exchange or quotation system where trading has a material effect (as determined by the calculation agent) on the overall market for futures or options contracts relating to such index component.

A “trading day” with respect to an ETF component means a day, as determined by the calculation agent, on which the relevant stock exchange and each related futures or options exchange with respect to such ETF component are scheduled to be open for trading for their respective regular trading sessions. The “relevant stock exchange” for any ETF component means the primary exchange or quotation system on which shares (or other applicable securities) of such ETF component are traded, as determined by the calculation agent. The “related futures or options exchange” for any ETF component means each exchange or quotation system where trading has a material effect (as determined by the calculation agent) on the overall market for futures or options contracts relating to such ETF component.

Calculation Agent

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, one of our subsidiaries, will act as calculation agent for the securities and may appoint agents to assist it in the performance of its duties. Pursuant to a calculation agent agreement, we may appoint a different calculation agent without your consent and without notifying you.

The calculation agent will determine the redemption amount you receive at stated maturity. In addition, the calculation agent will, among other things:

 

   

determine whether a market disruption event has occurred;

 

   

determine the closing level of an index component or the fund closing price of an ETF component under certain circumstances;

 

   

determine if adjustments are required to the closing level of an index component or the fund closing price of an ETF component under various circumstances;

 

   

if publication of an index component is discontinued, select a successor index component (as defined below) or, if no successor index component is available, determine the closing level of such index component; and

 

   

if an ETF component is undergoes a liquidation event, select a successor ETF component (as defined below) or, if no successor ETF component is available, determine the fund closing price of such ETF component.

All determinations made by the calculation agent will be at the sole discretion of the calculation agent and, in the absence of manifest error, will be conclusive for all purposes and binding on us and you. The calculation agent will have no liability for its determinations.

Market Disruption Events

A “market disruption event” means, with respect to an index component, any of the following events as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion:

 

  (A)

The occurrence or existence of a material suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by the relevant stock exchanges or otherwise relating to securities which then comprise 20% or more of the level of such index component or any successor index component (as defined below) at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the close of trading on that day, whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by those relevant stock exchanges or otherwise.

 

  (B)

The occurrence or existence of a material suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by any related futures or options exchange or otherwise in futures or options contracts relating to such index component or any successor index component on any related futures or options exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the close of trading on that

 

PRS-22


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Additional Terms of the Securities (Continued)

 

 

day, whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the related futures or options exchange or otherwise.

 

  (C)

The occurrence or existence of any event, other than an early closure, that materially disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, securities that then comprise 20% or more of the level of such index component or any successor index component on their relevant stock exchanges at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the close of trading on that day.

 

  (D)

The occurrence or existence of any event, other than an early closure, that materially disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, futures or options contracts relating to such index component or any successor index component on any related futures or options exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the close of trading on that day.

 

  (E)

The closure on any exchange business day of the relevant stock exchanges on which securities that then comprise 20% or more of the level of such index component or any successor index component are traded or any related futures or options exchange prior to its scheduled closing time unless the earlier closing time is announced by the relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange, as applicable, at least one hour prior to the earlier of (1) the actual closing time for the regular trading session on such relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange, as applicable, and (2) the submission deadline for orders to be entered into the relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange, as applicable, system for execution at such actual closing time on that day.

 

  (F)

The relevant stock exchange for any security underlying such index component or successor index component or any related futures or options exchange fails to open for trading during its regular trading session.

For purposes of determining whether a market disruption event has occurred with respect to an index component:

 

  (1)

the relevant percentage contribution of a security to the level of such index component or any successor index component will be based on a comparison of (x) the portion of the level of such index component attributable to that security and (y) the overall level of such index component or successor index component, in each case immediately before the occurrence of the market disruption event;

 

  (2)

the “close of trading” on any trading day for such index component or any successor index component means the scheduled closing time of the relevant stock exchanges with respect to the securities underlying such index component or successor index component on such trading day; provided that, if the actual closing time of the regular trading session of any such relevant stock exchange is earlier than its scheduled closing time on such trading day, then (x) for purposes of clauses (A) and (C) of the definition of “market disruption event” above, with respect to any security underlying such index component or successor index component for which such relevant stock exchange is its relevant stock exchange, the “close of trading” means such actual closing time and (y) for purposes of clauses (B) and (D) of the definition of “market disruption event” above, with respect to any futures or options contract relating to such index component or successor index component, the “close of trading” means the latest actual closing time of the regular trading session of any of the relevant stock exchanges, but in no event later than the scheduled closing time of the relevant stock exchanges;

 

  (3)

the “scheduled closing time” of any relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange on any trading day for such index component or any successor index component means the scheduled weekday closing time of such relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange on such trading day, without regard to after hours or any other trading outside the regular trading session hours; and

 

  (4)

an “exchange business day” means any trading day for such index component or any successor index component on which each relevant stock exchange for the securities underlying such index component or any successor index component and each related futures or options exchange are open for trading during their respective regular trading sessions, notwithstanding any such relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange closing prior to its scheduled closing time.

 

PRS-23


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Additional Terms of the Securities (Continued)

 

A “market disruption event” means, with respect to an ETF component, any of the following events as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion:

 

  (A)

The occurrence or existence of a material suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by the relevant stock exchange or otherwise relating to the shares (or other applicable securities) of such ETF component or any successor ETF component (as defined below) on the relevant stock exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the close of trading on such day, whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by such relevant stock exchange or otherwise.

 

  (B)

The occurrence or existence of a material suspension of or limitation imposed on trading by any related futures or options exchange or otherwise in futures or options contracts relating to the shares (or other applicable securities) of such ETF component or any successor ETF component on any related futures or options exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the close of trading on that day, whether by reason of movements in price exceeding limits permitted by the related futures or options exchange or otherwise.

 

  (C)

The occurrence or existence of any event, other than an early closure, that materially disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, shares (or other applicable securities) of such ETF component or any successor ETF component on the relevant stock exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the close of trading on that day.

 

  (D)

The occurrence or existence of any event, other than an early closure, that materially disrupts or impairs the ability of market participants in general to effect transactions in, or obtain market values for, futures or options contracts relating to shares (or other applicable securities) of such ETF component or any successor ETF component on any related futures or options exchange at any time during the one-hour period that ends at the close of trading on that day.

 

  (E)

The closure of the relevant stock exchange or any related futures or options exchange with respect to such ETF component or any successor ETF component prior to its scheduled closing time unless the earlier closing time is announced by the relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange, as applicable, at least one hour prior to the earlier of (1) the actual closing time for the regular trading session on such relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange, as applicable, and (2) the submission deadline for orders to be entered into the relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange, as applicable, system for execution at the close of trading on that day.

 

  (F)

The relevant stock exchange or any related futures or options exchange with respect to such ETF component or any successor ETF component fails to open for trading during its regular trading session.

For purposes of determining whether a market disruption event has occurred with respect to an ETF component:

 

  (1)

close of trading” means the scheduled closing time of the relevant stock exchange with respect to such ETF component or any successor ETF component; and

 

  (2)

the “scheduled closing time” of the relevant stock exchange or any related futures or options exchange on any trading day for such ETF component or any successor ETF component means the scheduled weekday closing time of such relevant stock exchange or related futures or options exchange on such trading day, without regard to after hours or any other trading outside the regular trading session hours.

If a market disruption event occurs or is continuing with respect to any basket component on the calculation day, then the calculation day for such basket component will be postponed to the first succeeding trading day for such basket component on which a market disruption event for such basket component has not occurred and is not continuing; however, if such first succeeding trading day has not occurred as of the eighth trading day for such basket component after the originally scheduled calculation day, that eighth trading day shall be deemed to be the calculation day. If the calculation day has been postponed eight trading days for a basket component after the originally scheduled calculation day for such basket component and a market disruption event occurs or is continuing with respect to such basket component on such eighth trading day, the calculation agent will (i) in the case of an index component, determine the closing level of such index component on such eighth trading day in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating the closing level of such index component last in effect prior to commencement of the market disruption event, using the closing price (or, with respect to any relevant security, if a market disruption event has occurred with respect to such

 

PRS-24


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Additional Terms of the Securities (Continued)

 

security, its good faith estimate of the value of such security at the scheduled closing time of the relevant stock exchange for such security or, if earlier, the actual closing time of the regular trading session of such relevant stock exchange and (ii) in the case of an ETF component, determine the closing price of such ETF component on such eighth trading day based on its good faith estimate of the value of the shares (or other applicable securities) of such ETF component as of the close of trading on such eighth trading day. As used in clause (i) of the immediately preceding sentence, “closing price” means, with respect to any security on any date, the relevant stock exchange traded or quoted price of such security as of the scheduled closing time of the relevant stock exchange for such security or, if earlier, the actual closing time of the regular trading session of such relevant stock exchange. Notwithstanding a postponement of the calculation day for a particular basket component due to a market disruption event with respect to such basket component, the originally scheduled calculation day will remain the calculation day for any basket component not affected by a market disruption event.

Adjustments to an Index Component

If at any time a sponsor or publisher of an index component (each, an “index sponsor”) makes a material change in the formula for or the method of calculating such index component, or in any other way materially modifies such index component (other than a modification prescribed in the formula or method to maintain such index component in the event of changes in constituent stock and capitalization and other routine events), then, from and after that time, the calculation agent will, at the close of business in New York, New York, on each date that the closing level of such index component is to be calculated, calculate a substitute closing level of such index component in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating such index component last in effect prior to the change, but using only those securities that comprised such index component immediately prior to that change. Accordingly, if the method of calculating an index component is modified so that the level of such index component is a fraction or a multiple of what it would have been if it had not been modified, then the calculation agent will adjust such index component in order to arrive at a level of such index component as if it had not been modified.

Discontinuance of an Index Component

If an index sponsor discontinues publication of an index component, and such index sponsor or another entity publishes a successor or substitute equity index that the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to such index component (a “successor index component”), then, upon the calculation agent’s notification of that determination to the trustee and Wells Fargo, the calculation agent will substitute the successor index component as calculated by the relevant index sponsor or any other entity and calculate the closing level of such index component as described above. Upon any selection by the calculation agent of a successor index component, Wells Fargo will cause notice to be given to holders of the securities.

In the event that an index sponsor discontinues publication of an index component prior to, and the discontinuance is continuing on, the calculation day and the calculation agent determines that no successor index component is available at such time, the calculation agent will calculate a substitute closing level for such index component in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating such index component last in effect prior to the discontinuance, but using only those securities that comprised such index component immediately prior to that discontinuance. If a successor index component is selected or the calculation agent calculates a level as a substitute for such index component, the successor index component or level will be used as a substitute for that index component for all purposes, including the purpose of determining whether a market disruption event exists.

If on the calculation day the index sponsor of an index component fails to calculate and announce the level of such index component, the calculation agent will calculate a substitute closing level of such index component in accordance with the formula for and method of calculating such index component last in effect prior to the failure, but using only those securities that comprised such index component immediately prior to that failure; provided that, if a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on such day, then the provisions set forth above under “—Market Disruption Events” shall apply in lieu of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, discontinuance of the publication of, or the failure by the relevant index sponsor to calculate and announce the level of, an index component may adversely affect the value of the securities.

Anti-dilution Adjustments Relating to an ETF Component; Alternate Calculation

Anti-dilution Adjustments

The calculation agent will adjust the adjustment factor with respect to an ETF component as specified below if any of the events specified below occurs with respect to such ETF component and the effective date or ex-dividend date, as applicable, for such event is after the pricing date and on or prior to the calculation day.

The adjustments specified below do not cover all events that could affect an ETF component, and there may be other events that could affect an ETF component for which the calculation agent will not make any such adjustments, including, without limitation, an ordinary cash dividend. Nevertheless, the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, make additional adjustments to any terms of

 

PRS-25


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Additional Terms of the Securities (Continued)

 

the securities upon the occurrence of other events that affect or could potentially affect the market price of, or shareholder rights in, such ETF component, with a view to offsetting, to the extent practical, any such change, and preserving the relative investment risks of the securities. In addition, the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, make adjustments or a series of adjustments that differ from those described herein if the calculation agent determines that such adjustments do not properly reflect the economic consequences of the events specified in this pricing supplement or would not preserve the relative investment risks of the securities. All determinations made by the calculation agent in making any adjustments to the terms of the securities, including adjustments that are in addition to, or that differ from, those described in this pricing supplement, will be made in good faith and a commercially reasonable manner, with the aim of ensuring an equitable result. In determining whether to make any adjustment to the terms of the securities, the calculation agent may consider any adjustment made by the Options Clearing Corporation or any other equity derivatives clearing organization on options contracts on the affected ETF component.

For any event described below, the calculation agent will not be required to adjust the adjustment factor unless the adjustment would result in a change to the adjustment factor then in effect of at least 0.10%. The adjustment factor resulting from any adjustment will be rounded up or down, as appropriate, to the nearest one-hundred thousandth.

 

  (A)

Stock Splits and Reverse Stock Splits

 

      

If a stock split or reverse stock split has occurred, then once such split has become effective, the adjustment factor will be adjusted to equal the product of the prior adjustment factor and the number of securities which a holder of one share (or other applicable security) of such ETF component before the effective date of such stock split or reverse stock split would have owned or been entitled to receive immediately following the applicable effective date.

 

  (B)

Stock Dividends

 

      

If a dividend or distribution of shares (or other applicable securities) to which the securities are linked has been made by such ETF component ratably to all holders of record of such shares (or other applicable security), then the adjustment factor will be adjusted on the ex-dividend date to equal the prior adjustment factor plus the product of the prior adjustment factor and the number of shares (or other applicable security) of such ETF component which a holder of one share (or other applicable security) of such ETF component before the ex-dividend date would have owned or been entitled to receive immediately following that date; provided, however, that no adjustment will be made for a distribution for which the number of securities of such ETF component paid or distributed is based on a fixed cash equivalent value.

 

  (C)

Extraordinary Dividends

 

      

If an extraordinary dividend (as defined below) has occurred, then the adjustment factor will be adjusted on the ex-dividend date to equal the product of the prior adjustment factor and a fraction, the numerator of which is the closing price per share (or other applicable security) of such ETF component on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date, and the denominator of which is the amount by which the closing price per share (or other applicable security) of such ETF component on the trading day preceding the ex-dividend date exceeds the extraordinary dividend amount (as defined below).

 

      

For purposes of determining whether an extraordinary dividend has occurred:

 

  (1)

extraordinary dividend” means any cash dividend or distribution (or portion thereof) that the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, is extraordinary or special; and

 

  (2)

extraordinary dividend amount” with respect to an extraordinary dividend for the securities of such ETF component will equal the amount per share (or other applicable security) of such ETF component of the applicable cash dividend or distribution that is attributable to the extraordinary dividend, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion. A distribution on the securities of an ETF component described below under the section entitled “—Reorganization Events” below that also constitutes an extraordinary dividend will only cause an adjustment pursuant to that “—Reorganization Events” section.

 

  (D)

Other Distributions

 

      

If an ETF component declares or makes a distribution to all holders of the shares (or other applicable security) of such ETF component of any non-cash assets, excluding dividends or distributions described under the section entitled “—Stock Dividends” above, then the calculation agent may, in its sole discretion, make such adjustment (if any) to the adjustment factor as it deems appropriate in the circumstances. If the calculation agent determines to

 

PRS-26


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Additional Terms of the Securities (Continued)

 

 

make an adjustment pursuant to this paragraph, it will do so with a view to offsetting, to the extent practical, any change in the economic position of a holder of the securities that results solely from the applicable event.

 

  (E)

Reorganization Events

 

      

If an ETF component, or any successor ETF component, is subject to a merger, combination, consolidation or statutory exchange of securities with another exchange traded fund, and such ETF component is not the surviving entity (a “reorganization event”), then, on or after the date of such event, the calculation agent shall, in its sole discretion, make an adjustment to the adjustment factor or the method of determining the redemption amount or any other terms of the securities as the calculation agent determines appropriate to account for the economic effect on the securities of such event, and determine the effective date of that adjustment. If the calculation agent determines that no adjustment that it could make will produce a commercially reasonable result, then the calculation agent may deem such event a liquidation event (as defined below).

Liquidation Events

If an ETF component is de-listed, liquidated or otherwise terminated (a “liquidation event”), and a successor or substitute exchange traded fund exists that the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, to be comparable to such ETF component, then, upon the calculation agent’s notification of that determination to the trustee and Wells Fargo, any subsequent fund closing price for such ETF component will be determined by reference to the fund closing price of such successor or substitute exchange traded fund (such exchange traded fund being referred to herein as a “successor ETF component”), with such adjustments as the calculation agent determines are appropriate to account for the economic effect of such substitution on holders of the securities.

If an ETF component undergoes a liquidation event prior to, and such liquidation event is continuing on, the date that any fund closing price of such ETF component is to be determined and the calculation agent determines that no successor ETF component is available at such time, then the calculation agent will, in its discretion, calculate the fund closing price for such ETF component on such date by a computation methodology that the calculation agent determines will as closely as reasonably possible replicate such ETF component, provided that if the calculation agent determines in its discretion that it is not practicable to replicate such ETF component (including but not limited to the instance in which the sponsor of the index underlying such ETF component discontinues publication of that index), then the calculation agent will calculate the fund closing price for such ETF component in accordance with the formula last used to calculate such fund closing price before such liquidation event, but using only those securities that were held by such ETF component immediately prior to such liquidation event without any rebalancing or substitution of such securities following such liquidation event.

If a successor ETF component is selected or the calculation agent calculates the fund closing price as a substitute for such ETF component, such successor ETF component or fund closing price will be used as a substitute for such ETF component for all purposes, including for purposes of determining whether a market disruption event exists. Notwithstanding these alternative arrangements, a liquidation event with respect to an ETF component may adversely affect the value of the securities.

If any event is both a reorganization event and a liquidation event, such event will be treated as a reorganization event for purposes of the securities unless the calculation agent makes the determination referenced in the last sentence of the section entitled “—Anti-dilution Adjustments—Reorganization Events” above.

Alternate Calculation

If at any time the method of calculating an ETF component or a successor ETF component, or the related ETF underlying index, is changed in a material respect, or if an ETF component or a successor ETF component is in any other way modified so that such ETF component does not, in the opinion of the calculation agent, fairly represent the price of the securities of such ETF component or such successor ETF component had such changes or modifications not been made, then the calculation agent may, at the close of business in New York City on the date that any fund closing price is to be determined, make such calculations and adjustments as, in the good faith judgment of the calculation agent, may be necessary in order to arrive at a closing price of an ETF component comparable to such ETF component or such successor ETF component, as the case may be, as if such changes or modifications had not been made, and calculate the fund closing price and the redemption amount with reference to such adjusted closing price of such ETF component or such successor ETF component, as applicable.

Events of Default and Acceleration

If an event of default with respect to the securities has occurred and is continuing, the amount payable to a holder of a security upon any acceleration permitted by the securities, with respect to each security, will be equal to the redemption amount, calculated as provided herein. The redemption amount will be calculated as though the date of acceleration were the calculation day.

 

PRS-27


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

Hypothetical Historical Performance of the Basket

The Basket will represent a weighted portfolio of the following four basket components, with the return of each basket component having the weighting noted parenthetically: the S&P 500 Index (60%); the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (25%); the Russell 2000 Index (10%); and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (5%). The value of the Basket will increase or decrease depending upon the performance of the basket components. For more information regarding the basket components, see “The S&P 500 Index”, “The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF”, “The Russell 2000 Index” and “The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF.” The Basket does not reflect the performance of all major securities markets.

While historical information on the value of the Basket does not exist for dates prior to the pricing date, the following graph sets forth the hypothetical historical daily values of the Basket for the period from January 1, 2006 to January 20, 2016 assuming that the Basket was constructed on January 1, 2006 with a starting level of 100 and that each of the basket components had the applicable weighting as of such day. We obtained the closing levels, closing prices and other information used by us in order to create the graph below from Bloomberg Financial Markets (“Bloomberg”) without independent verification.

The hypothetical historical basket values, as calculated solely for the purposes of the offering of the securities, fluctuated in the past and may, in the future, experience significant fluctuations. Any historical upward or downward trend in the value of the Basket during any period shown below is not an indication that the percentage change in the value of the Basket is more likely to be positive or negative during the term of the securities. The hypothetical historical values do not give an indication of future values of the Basket.

LOGO

 

PRS-28


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

The S&P 500 Index

The S&P 500 Index is an equity index that is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of common stock price movement in the large capitalization segment of the United States equity market. Wells Fargo & Company is one of the companies currently included in the S&P 500 Index. See “Description of Equity Indices—The S&P 500® Index” in the accompanying market measure supplement for additional information about the S&P 500 Index.

Historical Information

We obtained the closing levels of the S&P 500 Index listed below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.

The following graph sets forth daily closing levels of the S&P 500 Index for the period from January 1, 2006 to January 20, 2016. The closing level on January 20, 2016 was 1859.33. The historical performance of the S&P 500 Index should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the S&P 500 Index during the term of the securities.

LOGO

 

PRS-29


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

The S&P 500 Index (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the high and low closing levels, as well as end-of-period closing levels, of the S&P 500 Index for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2015 and for the period from January 1, 2016 to January 20, 2016.

 

       High        Low        Last  

2006

              

First Quarter

       1307.25           1254.78           1294.83   

Second Quarter

       1325.76           1223.69           1270.20   

Third Quarter

       1339.15           1234.49           1335.85   

Fourth Quarter

       1427.09           1331.32           1418.30   

2007

              

First Quarter

       1459.68           1374.12           1420.86   

Second Quarter

       1539.18           1424.55           1503.35   

Third Quarter

       1553.08           1406.70           1526.75   

Fourth Quarter

       1565.15           1407.22           1468.36   

2008

              

First Quarter

       1447.16           1273.37           1322.70   

Second Quarter

       1426.63           1278.38           1280.00   

Third Quarter

       1305.32           1106.39           1166.36   

Fourth Quarter

       1161.06           752.44           903.25   

2009

              

First Quarter

       934.70           676.53           797.87   

Second Quarter

       946.21           811.08           919.32   

Third Quarter

       1071.66           879.13           1057.08   

Fourth Quarter

       1127.78           1025.21           1115.10   

2010

              

First Quarter

       1174.17           1056.74           1169.43   

Second Quarter

       1217.28           1030.71           1030.71   

Third Quarter

       1148.67           1022.58           1141.20   

Fourth Quarter

       1259.78           1137.03           1257.64   

2011

              

First Quarter

       1343.01           1256.88           1325.83   

Second Quarter

       1363.61           1265.42           1320.64   

Third Quarter

       1353.22           1119.46           1131.42   

Fourth Quarter

       1285.09           1099.23           1257.60   

2012

              

First Quarter

       1416.51           1277.06           1408.47   

Second Quarter

       1419.04           1278.04           1362.16   

Third Quarter

       1465.77           1334.76           1440.67   

Fourth Quarter

       1461.40           1353.33           1426.19   

2013

              

First Quarter

       1569.19           1457.15           1569.19   

Second Quarter

       1669.16           1541.61           1606.28   

Third Quarter

       1725.52           1614.08           1681.55   

Fourth Quarter

       1848.36           1655.45           1848.36   

2014

              

First Quarter

       1878.04           1741.89           1872.34   

Second Quarter

       1962.87           1815.69           1960.23   

Third Quarter

       2011.36           1909.57           1972.29   

Fourth Quarter

       2090.57           1862.49           2058.90   

2015

              

First Quarter

       2117.39           1992.67           2067.89   

Second Quarter

       2130.82           2057.64           2063.11   

Third Quarter

       2128.28           1867.61           1920.03   

Fourth Quarter

       2109.79           1923.82           2043.94   

2016

              

January 1, 2016 to January 20, 2016

       2016.71           1859.33           1859.33   

 

PRS-30


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF

The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF is an exchange traded fund that seeks to track the MSCI EAFE Index, an equity index that is designed to measure equity performance in developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. See “Description of Exchange Traded Funds—The iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF” in the accompanying market measure supplement for additional information about the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF.

MSCI, Inc. has announced that, effective with the November 2015 semi-annual index review, companies traded outside of their country of classification (i.e., “foreign listed companies”) will become eligible for inclusion in the component country indices included in the MSCI EAFE Index. In order for a component country index to be eligible to include foreign listed companies, it must meet the Foreign Listing Materiality Requirement. To meet the Foreign Listing Materiality Requirement, the aggregate market capitalization of all securities represented by foreign listings should represent at least (i) 5% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the relevant component country index and (ii) 0.05% of the free-float adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI ACWI Investable Market Index (an index that measures equity performance in both the developed and emerging markets). In connection with the November 2015 semi-annual index review, three of the component country indices included in the MSCI EAFE Index, the MSCI Hong Kong Index, the MSCI Israel Index and the MSCI Netherlands Index, became eligible to include foreign listed companies. The newly eligible foreign listed securities were added at half their free float-adjusted market capitalization as part of the November 2015 semi-annual index review, and their remaining free float-adjusted market capitalization will be added as part of the May 2016 semi-annual index review.

The information about the MSCI EAFE Index contained herein updates the information included in the accompanying market measure supplement. See “Description of Equity Indices—The MSCI EAFE® Index” in the accompanying market measure supplement for additional information about the MSCI EAFE Index.

Historical Information

We obtained the closing prices of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF listed below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.

The following graph sets forth daily closing prices of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF for the period from January 1, 2006 to January 20, 2016. The closing price on January 20, 2016 was $52.55. The historical performance of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the term of the securities.

LOGO

 

PRS-31


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices, as well as end-of-period closing prices, of the iShares MSCI EAFE ETF for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2015 and for the period from January 1, 2016 to January 20, 2016.

 

       High        Low        Last  

2006

              

First Quarter

     $ 65.40         $ 60.33         $ 64.99   

Second Quarter

     $ 70.58         $ 59.60         $ 65.35   

Third Quarter

     $ 68.46         $ 61.62         $ 67.78   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 74.31         $ 67.96         $ 73.26   

2007

              

First Quarter

     $ 76.94         $ 70.95         $ 76.27   

Second Quarter

     $ 81.79         $ 76.47         $ 80.63   

Third Quarter

     $ 83.77         $ 73.70         $ 82.56   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 86.18         $ 78.24         $ 78.50   

2008

              

First Quarter

     $ 78.35         $ 68.31         $ 71.90   

Second Quarter

     $ 78.52         $ 68.10         $ 68.70   

Third Quarter

     $ 68.04         $ 53.08         $ 56.30   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 55.88         $ 35.71         $ 44.87   

2009

              

First Quarter

     $ 45.44         $ 31.69         $ 37.59   

Second Quarter

     $ 49.04         $ 38.57         $ 45.81   

Third Quarter

     $ 55.81         $ 43.91         $ 54.70   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 57.28         $ 52.66         $ 55.30   

2010

              

First Quarter

     $ 57.96         $ 50.45         $ 56.00   

Second Quarter

     $ 58.03         $ 46.29         $ 46.51   

Third Quarter

     $ 55.42         $ 47.09         $ 54.92   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 59.46         $ 54.25         $ 58.23   

2011

              

First Quarter

     $ 61.91         $ 55.31         $ 60.09   

Second Quarter

     $ 63.87         $ 57.10         $ 60.14   

Third Quarter

     $ 60.80         $ 46.66         $ 47.75   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 55.57         $ 46.45         $ 49.53   

2012

              

First Quarter

     $ 55.80         $ 49.15         $ 54.90   

Second Quarter

     $ 55.51         $ 46.55         $ 49.96   

Third Quarter

     $ 55.15         $ 47.62         $ 53.00   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 56.88         $ 51.96         $ 56.82   

2013

              

First Quarter

     $ 59.89         $ 56.90         $ 58.98   

Second Quarter

     $ 63.53         $ 57.03         $ 57.38   

Third Quarter

     $ 65.05         $ 57.55         $ 63.79   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 67.06         $ 62.71         $ 67.06   

2014

              

First Quarter

     $ 68.03         $ 62.31         $ 67.17   

Second Quarter

     $ 70.67         $ 66.26         $ 68.37   

Third Quarter

     $ 69.25         $ 64.12         $ 64.12   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 64.51         $ 59.53         $ 60.84   

2015

              

First Quarter

     $ 65.99         $ 58.48         $ 64.17   

Second Quarter

     $ 68.42         $ 63.49         $ 63.49   

Third Quarter

     $ 65.46         $ 56.25         $ 57.32   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 62.06         $ 57.50         $ 58.75   

2016

              

January 1, 2016 to January 20, 2016

     $ 57.80         $ 52.55         $ 52.55   

 

PRS-32


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

The Russell 2000 Index

The Russell 2000 Index is an equity index that is designed to track the performance of the small capitalization segment of the United States equity market. See “Description of Equity Indices—The Russell 2000® Index” in the accompanying market measure supplement for additional information about the Russell 2000 Index.

Historical Information

We obtained the closing levels of the Russell 2000 Index listed below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.

The following graph sets forth daily closing levels of the Russell 2000 Index for the period from January 1, 2006 to January 20, 2016. The closing level on January 20, 2016 was 999.315. The historical performance of the Russell 2000 Index should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the Russell 2000 Index during the term of the securities.

LOGO

 

PRS-33


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

The Russell 2000 Index (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the high and low closing levels, as well as end-of-period closing levels, of the Russell 2000 Index for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2015 and for the period from January 1, 2016 to January 20, 2016.

 

       High        Low        Last  

2006

              

First Quarter

       765.140           684.050           765.140   

Second Quarter

       781.830           672.720           724.670   

Third Quarter

       734.479           671.940           725.594   

Fourth Quarter

       797.732           718.352           787.664   

2007

              

First Quarter

       829.438           760.063           800.710   

Second Quarter

       855.092           803.218           833.699   

Third Quarter

       855.774           751.544           805.450   

Fourth Quarter

       845.720           735.066           766.031   

2008

              

First Quarter

       753.548           643.966           687.967   

Second Quarter

       763.266           686.073           689.659   

Third Quarter

       754.377           657.718           679.583   

Fourth Quarter

       671.590           385.308           499.453   

2009

              

First Quarter

       514.710           343.260           422.748   

Second Quarter

       531.680           429.158           508.281   

Third Quarter

       620.695           479.267           604.278   

Fourth Quarter

       634.072           562.395           625.389   

2010

              

First Quarter

       690.303           586.491           678.643   

Second Quarter

       741.922           609.486           609.486   

Third Quarter

       677.642           590.034           676.139   

Fourth Quarter

       792.347           669.450           783.647   

2011

              

First Quarter

       843.549           773.184           843.549   

Second Quarter

       865.291           777.197           827.429   

Third Quarter

       858.113           643.421           644.156   

Fourth Quarter

       765.432           609.490           740.916   

2012

              

First Quarter

       846.129           747.275           830.301   

Second Quarter

       840.626           737.241           798.487   

Third Quarter

       864.697           767.751           837.450   

Fourth Quarter

       852.495           769.483           849.350   

2013

              

First Quarter

       953.068           872.605           951.542   

Second Quarter

       999.985           901.513           977.475   

Third Quarter

       1078.409           989.535           1073.786   

Fourth Quarter

       1163.637           1043.459           1163.637   

2014

              

First Quarter

       1208.651           1093.594           1173.038   

Second Quarter

       1192.964           1095.986           1192.964   

Third Quarter

       1208.150           1101.676           1101.676   

Fourth Quarter

       1219.109           1049.303           1204.696   

2015

              

First Quarter

       1266.373           1154.709           1252.772   

Second Quarter

       1295.799           1215.417           1253.947   

Third Quarter

       1273.328           1083.907           1100.688   

Fourth Quarter

       1204.159           1097.552           1135.889   

2016

              

January 1, 2016 to January 20, 2016

       1110.439           994.869           999.315   

 

PRS-34


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

The iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF is an exchange traded fund that seeks to track the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, an equity index that is designed to measure equity performance in global emerging markets. See “Description of Exchange Traded Funds—The iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF” in the accompanying market measure supplement for additional information about the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF.

MSCI, Inc. has announced that, effective with the November 2015 semi-annual index review, companies traded outside of their country of classification (i.e., “foreign listed companies”) will become eligible for inclusion in the component country indices included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. In order for a component country index to be eligible to include foreign listed companies, it must meet the Foreign Listing Materiality Requirement. To meet the Foreign Listing Materiality Requirement, the aggregate market capitalization of all securities represented by foreign listings should represent at least (i) 5% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the relevant component country index and (ii) 0.05% of the free-float adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI ACWI Investable Market Index (an index that measures equity performance in both the developed and emerging markets). In connection with the November 2015 semi-annual index review, one of the component country indices included in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, the MSCI China Index, became eligible to include foreign listed companies. The newly eligible foreign listed securities were added at half their free float-adjusted market capitalization as part of the November 2015 semi-annual index review, and their remaining free float-adjusted market capitalization will be added as part of the May 2016 semi-annual index review.

The information about the MSCI Emerging Markets Index contained herein updates the information included in the accompanying market measure supplement. See “Description of Equity Indices—The MSCI Emerging Markets IndexSM” in the accompanying market measure supplement for additional information about the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

Historical Information

We obtained the closing prices of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF Index listed below from Bloomberg, without independent verification.

The following graph sets forth daily closing prices of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF for the period from January 1, 2006 to January 20, 2016. The closing price on January 20, 2016 was $28.25. The historical performance of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF during the term of the securities.

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PRS-35


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

The iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (Continued)

 

The following table sets forth the high and low closing prices, as well as end-of-period closing prices, of the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2015 and for the period from January 1, 2016 to January 20, 2016.

 

       High        Low        Last  

2006

              

First Quarter

     $ 33.59         $ 30.43         $ 33.02   

Second Quarter

     $ 37.03         $ 27.34         $ 31.23   

Third Quarter

     $ 33.14         $ 29.20         $ 32.29   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 38.15         $ 31.80         $ 38.10   

2007

              

First Quarter

     $ 39.53         $ 35.03         $ 38.75   

Second Quarter

     $ 44.42         $ 39.13         $ 43.82   

Third Quarter

     $ 50.11         $ 39.50         $ 49.78   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 55.64         $ 47.27         $ 50.10   

2008

              

First Quarter

     $ 50.37         $ 42.17         $ 44.79   

Second Quarter

     $ 51.70         $ 44.43         $ 45.19   

Third Quarter

     $ 44.43         $ 31.33         $ 34.53   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 33.90         $ 18.22         $ 24.97   

2009

              

First Quarter

     $ 27.09         $ 19.94         $ 24.81   

Second Quarter

     $ 34.64         $ 25.65         $ 32.23   

Third Quarter

     $ 39.29         $ 30.75         $ 38.91   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 42.07         $ 37.56         $ 41.50   

2010

              

First Quarter

     $ 43.22         $ 36.83         $ 42.12   

Second Quarter

     $ 43.98         $ 36.16         $ 37.32   

Third Quarter

     $ 44.77         $ 37.59         $ 44.77   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 48.58         $ 44.77         $ 47.62   

2011

              

First Quarter

     $ 48.69         $ 44.63         $ 48.69   

Second Quarter

     $ 50.21         $ 45.50         $ 47.60   

Third Quarter

     $ 48.46         $ 34.95         $ 35.07   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 42.80         $ 34.36         $ 37.94   

2012

              

First Quarter

     $ 44.76         $ 38.23         $ 42.94   

Second Quarter

     $ 43.54         $ 36.68         $ 39.19   

Third Quarter

     $ 42.37         $ 37.42         $ 41.32   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 44.35         $ 40.14         $ 44.35   

2013

              

First Quarter

     $ 45.20         $ 41.80         $ 42.78   

Second Quarter

     $ 44.23         $ 36.63         $ 38.57   

Third Quarter

     $ 43.29         $ 37.34         $ 40.77   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 43.66         $ 40.44         $ 41.77   

2014

              

First Quarter

     $ 40.99         $ 37.09         $ 40.99   

Second Quarter

     $ 43.95         $ 40.82         $ 43.23   

Third Quarter

     $ 45.85         $ 41.56         $ 41.56   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 42.44         $ 37.73         $ 39.29   

2015

              

First Quarter

     $ 41.07         $ 37.92         $ 40.13   

Second Quarter

     $ 44.09         $ 39.04         $ 39.62   

Third Quarter

     $ 39.78         $ 31.32         $ 32.78   

Fourth Quarter

     $ 36.29         $ 31.55         $ 32.19   

2016

              

January 1, 2016 to January 20, 2016

     $ 31.38         $ 28.25         $ 28.25   

 

PRS-36


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

ERISA Considerations

Each fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan to which Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) applies (a “plan”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in the securities. Accordingly, among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the plan. When we use the term “holder” in this section, we are referring to a beneficial owner of the securities and not the record holder.

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit plans, as well as individual retirement accounts and Keogh plans to which Section 4975 of the Code applies (also “plans”), from engaging in specified transactions involving “plan assets” with persons who are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Code (collectively, “parties in interest”) with respect to such plan. A violation of those “prohibited transaction” rules may result in an excise tax or other liabilities under ERISA and/or Section 4975 of the Code for such persons, unless statutory or administrative exemptive relief is available. Therefore, a fiduciary of a plan should also consider whether an investment in the securities might constitute or give rise to a prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code.

Employee benefit plans that are governmental plans, as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA, certain church plans, as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA, and foreign plans, as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA (collectively, “Non-ERISA Arrangements”), are not subject to the requirements of ERISA, or Section 4975 of the Code, but may be subject to similar rules under other applicable laws or regulations (“Similar Laws”).

We and our affiliates may each be considered a party in interest with respect to many plans. Special caution should be exercised, therefore, before the securities are purchased by a plan. In particular, the fiduciary of the plan should consider whether statutory or administrative exemptive relief is available. The U.S. Department of Labor has issued five prohibited transaction class exemptions (“PTCEs”) that may provide exemptive relief for direct or indirect prohibited transactions resulting from the purchase or holding of the securities. Those class exemptions are:

 

   

PTCE 96-23, for specified transactions determined by in-house asset managers;

 

   

PTCE 95-60, for specified transactions involving insurance company general accounts;

 

   

PTCE 91-38, for specified transactions involving bank collective investment funds;

 

   

PTCE 90-1, for specified transactions involving insurance company separate accounts; and

 

   

PTCE 84-14, for specified transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers.

In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide an exemption for transactions between a plan and a person who is a party in interest (other than a fiduciary who has or exercises any discretionary authority or control with respect to investment of the plan assets involved in the transaction or renders investment advice with respect thereto) solely by reason of providing services to the plan (or by reason of a relationship to such a service provider), if in connection with the transaction of the plan receives no less, and pays no more, than “adequate consideration” (within the meaning of Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA).

Any purchaser or holder of the securities or any interest in the securities will be deemed to have represented by its purchase and holding that either:

 

   

no portion of the assets used by such purchaser or holder to acquire or purchase the securities constitutes assets of any plan or Non-ERISA Arrangement; or

 

   

the purchase and holding of the securities by such purchaser or holder will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or similar violation under any Similar Laws.

Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing the securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any plan consult with their counsel regarding the potential consequences under ERISA and the Code of the acquisition of the securities and the availability of exemptive relief.

The securities are contractual financial instruments. The financial exposure provided by the securities is not a substitute or proxy for, and is not intended as a substitute or proxy for, individualized investment management or advice for the benefit of any purchaser or

 

PRS-37


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

ERISA Considerations (Continued)

 

holder of the securities. The securities have not been designed and will not be administered in a manner intended to reflect the individualized needs and objectives of any purchaser or holder of the securities.

Each purchaser or holder of the securities acknowledges and agrees that:

 

  (i)

the purchaser or holder or its fiduciary has made and shall make all investment decisions for the purchaser or holder and the purchaser or holder has not relied and shall not rely in any way upon us or our affiliates to act as a fiduciary or adviser of the purchaser or holder with respect to (a) the design and terms of the securities, (b) the purchaser or holder’s investment in the securities, or (c) the exercise of or failure to exercise any rights we have under or with respect to the securities;

 

  (ii)

we and our affiliates have acted and will act solely for our own account in connection with (a) all transactions relating to the securities and (b) all hedging transactions in connection with our obligations under the securities;

 

  (iii)

any and all assets and positions relating to hedging transactions by us or our affiliates are assets and positions of those entities and are not assets and positions held for the benefit of the purchaser or holder;

 

  (iv)

our interests may be adverse to the interests of the purchaser or holder; and

 

  (v)

neither we nor any of our affiliates is a fiduciary or adviser of the purchaser or holder in connection with any such assets, positions or transactions, and any information that we or any of our affiliates may provide is not intended to be impartial investment advice.

Purchasers of the securities have the exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their purchase, holding and subsequent disposition of the securities does not violate the fiduciary or prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law. Nothing herein shall be construed as a representation that an investment in the securities would be appropriate for, or would meet any or all of the relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by, plans or Non-ERISA Arrangements generally or any particular plan or Non-ERISA Arrangement.

 

PRS-38


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

United States Federal Tax Considerations

The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income and certain estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities. It applies to you only if you purchase a security for cash in the initial offering at the “issue price,” which is the first price at which a substantial amount of the securities is sold to the public, and hold the security as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). It does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to you in light of your particular circumstances or if you are an investor subject to special rules, such as:

 

   

a financial institution;

 

   

a “regulated investment company”;

 

   

a tax-exempt entity, including an “individual retirement account” or “Roth IRA”;

 

   

a dealer or trader subject to a mark-to-market method of tax accounting with respect to the securities;

 

   

a person holding a security as part of a “straddle” or conversion transaction or who has entered into a “constructive sale” with respect to a security;

 

   

a U.S. holder (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; or

 

   

an entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If an entity that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the securities, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partnership holding the securities or a partner in such a partnership, you should consult your tax adviser as to your particular U.S. federal tax consequences of holding and disposing of the securities.

We will not attempt to ascertain whether any of the issuers whose stock is included in the equity index basket components (the “underlying stocks”) is treated as a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (“USRPHC”) within the meaning of Section 897 of the Code or as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”) within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code. If any of the issuers of the underlying stocks were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply to you, in the case of a USRPHC if you are a non-U.S. holder (as defined below) and in the case of a PFIC if you are a U.S. holder (as defined below), upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities. You should refer to information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or another governmental authority by the issuers of the underlying stocks and consult your tax adviser regarding the possible consequences to you if any of the issuers of the underlying stocks is or becomes a USRPHC or PFIC.

This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations, all as of the date of this pricing supplement, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this pricing supplement may affect the tax consequences described herein, possibly with retroactive effect. This discussion does not address the effects of any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws or the potential application of the alternative minimum tax or the Medicare tax on investment income. You should consult your tax adviser concerning the application of U.S. federal income and estate tax laws to your particular situation (including the possibility of alternative treatments of the securities), as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction.

Tax Treatment of the Securities

In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, which is based on current market conditions, a security should be treated as a prepaid derivative contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. By purchasing a security, you agree (in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary) to this treatment.

Due to the absence of statutory, judicial or administrative authorities that directly address the U.S. federal tax treatment of the securities or similar instruments, significant aspects of the treatment of an investment in the securities are uncertain. We do not plan to request a ruling from the IRS, and the IRS or a court might not agree with the treatment described below. Accordingly, you should consult your tax adviser regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of an investment in the securities. Unless otherwise indicated, the following discussion is based on the treatment of the securities as prepaid derivative contracts that are “open transactions.”

 

PRS-39


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

United States Federal Tax Considerations (Continued)

 

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

This section applies only to U.S. holders. You are a “U.S. holder” if you are a beneficial owner of a security that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state therein or the District of Columbia; or

 

   

an estate or trust the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

Tax Treatment Prior to Maturity. You should not be required to recognize income over the term of the securities prior to maturity, other than pursuant to a sale, exchange or retirement as described below.

Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Securities. Upon a sale, exchange or retirement of the securities, you should recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or retirement and your tax basis in the securities that are sold, exchanged or retired. Your tax basis in the securities should equal the amount you paid to acquire them. Subject to the discussion below concerning the potential application of the “constructive ownership” rules under Section 1260 of the Code, this gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of the sale, exchange or retirement you held the securities for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss otherwise. Long-term capital gains recognized by non-corporate U.S. holders are generally subject to taxation at reduced rates. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

Potential Application of Section 1260 of the Code. There is a significant risk that your purchase of a security may be treated as entry into a “constructive ownership transaction,” within the meaning of Section 1260 of the Code, with respect to shares of the funds. In that case, all or a portion of any long-term capital gain you would otherwise recognize in respect of your securities would be recharacterized as ordinary income to the extent such gain exceeded the “net underlying long-term capital gain.” Any long-term capital gain recharacterized as ordinary income under Section 1260 of the Code would be treated as accruing at a constant rate over the period you held your securities, and you would be subject to an interest charge in respect of the deemed tax liability on the income treated as accruing in prior tax years. Due to the lack of governing authority under Section 1260 of the Code, our counsel is not able to opine as to whether or how Section 1260 of the Code applies to the securities, including how the “net underlying long-term capital gain” should be computed if Section 1260 does apply. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of the “constructive ownership” rule.

Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in the Securities

Alternative U.S. federal income tax treatments of the securities are possible that, if applied, could materially and adversely affect the timing and/or character of income, gain or loss with respect to them. It is possible, for example, that the securities could be treated as debt instruments governed by Treasury regulations relating to the taxation of contingent payment debt instruments. In that case, regardless of your method of tax accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you would be required to accrue income based on our comparable yield for similar non-contingent debt, determined as of the time of issuance of the securities, in each year that you held the securities, even though we are not required to make any payment with respect to the securities prior to maturity. In addition, any gain on the sale, exchange or retirement of the securities would be treated as ordinary income.

Other possible U.S. federal income tax treatments of the securities could also affect the timing and character of income or loss with respect to the securities. In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. The notice focuses in particular on whether to require holders of these instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange-traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” regime, as discussed above. While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the possible alternative treatments of an investment in the securities and the issues presented by this notice.

 

PRS-40


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

United States Federal Tax Considerations (Continued)

 

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

This section applies only to non-U.S. holders. You are a “non-U.S. holder” if you are a beneficial owner of a security that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is classified as a nonresident alien;

 

   

a foreign corporation; or

 

   

a foreign estate or trust.

You are not a non-U.S. holder for purposes of this discussion if you are (i) an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition or (ii) a former citizen or resident of the United States. If you are or may become such a person during the period in which you hold a security, you should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

Sale, Exchange or Retirement of the Securities. Subject to the possible application of Section 897 of the Code, you generally should not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of amounts paid to you, provided that income in respect of the securities is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

If you are engaged in a U.S. trade or business, and if income from the securities is effectively connected with the conduct of that trade or business, you generally will be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax with respect to that income in the same manner as if you were a U.S. holder, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides otherwise. If you are such a holder and you are a corporation, you should also consider the potential application of a 30% (or lower treaty rate) branch profits tax.

Tax Consequences Under Possible Alternative Treatments. If all or any portion of a security were recharacterized as a debt instrument, subject to the possible application of Section 897 of the Code and the discussion below regarding FATCA, any payment made to you with respect to the security generally should not be subject to U.S. federal withholding or income tax, provided that: (i) income or gain in respect of the security is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and (ii) you provide an appropriate IRS Form W-8 certifying under penalties of perjury that you are not a United States person.

Other U.S. federal income tax treatments of the securities are also possible. In 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. Among the issues addressed in the notice is the degree, if any, to which income with respect to instruments such as the securities should be subject to U.S. withholding tax. While the notice requests comments on appropriate transition rules and effective dates, it is possible that any Treasury regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues might materially and adversely affect the withholding tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. If withholding applies to the securities, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. Accordingly, you should consult your tax adviser regarding the issues presented by the notice.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax

If you are an individual non-U.S. holder or an entity the property of which is potentially includible in such an individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), you should note that, absent an applicable treaty exemption, the securities may be treated as U.S. situs property subject to U.S. federal estate tax. If you are such an individual or entity, you should consult your tax adviser regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in the securities.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Amounts paid on the securities, and the proceeds of a sale, exchange or other disposition of the securities, may be subject to information reporting and, if you fail to provide certain identifying information (such as an accurate taxpayer identification number if you are a U.S. holder) or meet certain other conditions, may also be subject to backup withholding at the rate specified in the Code. If you are a non-U.S. holder that provides an appropriate IRS Form W-8, you will generally establish an exemption from backup withholding. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the relevant information is timely furnished to the IRS.

 

PRS-41


Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation

to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside

Principal at Risk Securities Linked to a Global Basket of Equity Indices and ETFs due July 26, 2017

 

United States Federal Tax Considerations (Continued)

 

FATCA Legislation

Legislation commonly referred to as “FATCA” generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on payments to certain non-U.S. entities (including financial intermediaries) with respect to certain financial instruments, unless various U.S. information reporting and due diligence requirements have been satisfied. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the non-U.S. entity’s jurisdiction may modify these requirements. This legislation applies to certain financial instruments that are treated as paying U.S.-source interest or other U.S.-source “fixed or determinable annual or periodical” income. If the securities were treated as debt instruments, the withholding regime under FATCA would apply to any amounts treated as interest. If withholding applies to the securities, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld. If you are a non-U.S. holder, or a U.S. holder holding securities through a non-U.S. intermediary, you should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of FATCA to the securities.

The preceding discussion constitutes the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of owning and disposing of the securities.

You should consult your tax adviser regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of an investment in the securities and any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

 

PRS-42