PRELIMINARY PRICING SUPPLEMENT No. 65

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

 

Preliminary Pricing Supplement No. 65

(To Product Supplement No. EQUITY INDICES SUN-1 dated April 27, 2018, Prospectus Supplement dated January 24, 2018 and Prospectus dated April 27, 2018)

 

Subject to Completion

                Preliminary Pricing  Supplement                

dated June 12, 2018

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)    

Registration Statement No. 333-221324    

 

 

 

  Units

$10 principal amount per unit

CUSIP No.    

  

 

Pricing Date*

Settlement Date*

Maturity Date*

 

 

June     , 2018  

July     , 2018  

 January     , 2023  

 

 

LOGO

 

   *Subject to change based on the actual date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”)
     
 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes Linked to the Russell

1000® Value Index

        1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Index, with up to 100% of your principal at risk   
     Maturity of approximately four and a half years   
     If the Index is flat or increases up to and including the Step Up Value, a return of [30% to 36%]   
     If the Index increases above the Step Up Value, a return equal to the percentage increase in the Index   
     All payments occur at maturity and are subject to the credit risk of Wells Fargo & Company; if Wells Fargo & Company defaults on its obligations, you could lose some or all of your investment   
     No periodic interest payments or dividends   
     In addition to the underwriting discount set forth below, the notes include a hedging-related charge of $0.075 per unit. See “Structuring the Notes”   
     Limited secondary market liquidity, with no exchange listing; intended to be held to maturity   
    

The notes are unsecured obligations of Wells Fargo & Company. The notes 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

 

  
       

The notes are being issued by Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”). The notes have complex features and investing in the notes involves risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. See “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-7 of this term sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-7 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES SUN-1.

The initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $9.30 and $9.50 per unit, which is less than the public offering price listed below. The range for the initial estimated value of the notes is based on the estimated value of the notes determined for us as of the date of this term sheet by Wells Fargo Securities, LLC using its proprietary pricing models. The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy. See “Summary” on the following page, “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-7 of this term sheet and “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-16 of this term sheet for additional information.

 

 

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this Note Prospectus (as defined below) is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

       Per Unit        Total  

Public offering price(1)

     $ 10.00        $               

Underwriting discount(1)

     $ 0.25        $               

Proceeds, before expenses, to Wells Fargo

     $ 9.75        $               

 

  (1) For any purchase of 500,000 units or more in a single transaction by an individual investor or in combined transactions with the investor’s household in this offering, the public offering price and the underwriting discount will be $9.95 per unit and $0.20 per unit, respectively. See “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution” below.

The notes:

 

     

Are Not FDIC Insured

 

  Are Not Bank Guaranteed   May Lose Value

Merrill Lynch & Co.

June     , 2018


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

Summary

The Market-Linked Step Up Notes Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes 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. The notes will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt. Any payments due on the notes, including any repayment of principal, will be subject to the credit risk of Wells Fargo. The notes provide you with a Step Up Payment if the Ending Value of the Market Measure, which is the Russell 1000® Value Index (the “Index”), is equal to or greater than its Starting Value, but is not greater than the Step Up Value. If the Ending Value is greater than the Step Up Value, you will participate on a 1-for-1 basis in the increase in the level of the Index above the Starting Value. If the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value, you will lose all or a portion of the principal amount of your notes. Any payments on the notes will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Index, subject to our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” and “The Index” below.

The public offering price of each note of $10 includes certain costs that are borne by you. Because of these costs, the estimated value of the notes on the pricing date will be less than the public offering price. The costs included in the public offering price relate to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes, as well as to our funding considerations for debt of this type.

The costs related to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes include (a) the underwriting discount, (b) the projected profit that our hedge counterparty (which may be MLPF&S or one of its affiliates) expects to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the notes and (c) hedging and other costs relating to the offering of the notes.

Our funding considerations take into account the higher issuance, operational and ongoing management costs of market-linked debt such as the notes 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 notes 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 notes.

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

Our affiliate, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“WFS”), calculated the range for the initial estimated value of the notes set forth on the cover page of this term sheet, based on its proprietary pricing models. The range for the initial estimated value reflects terms that are not yet fixed, as well as uncertainty about market conditions and other relevant factors as of the pricing date. In no event will the estimated value of the notes on the pricing date be less than the bottom of the range. Based on WFS’s proprietary pricing models and related market inputs and assumptions, WFS determined an estimated value for the notes by estimating the value of the combination of hypothetical financial instruments that would replicate the payout on the notes, 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 notes (the “derivative component”). For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-7 of this term sheet and “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-16 of this term sheet.

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-2   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

 

Terms of the Notes    Redemption Amount Determination

 

  Issuer:

  

 

Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”)

 

  

 

On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows:

 

LOGO

  Principal

  Amount:

 

   $10.00 per unit   
  Term:   

Approximately four and a half years

 

  

  Market

  Measure:

  

The Russell 1000® Value Index (Bloomberg symbol: “RLV Index”), a price return index

 

  
  Starting Value:   

The closing level of the Market Measure on the pricing date

 

  
  Ending Value:   

The closing level of the Market Measure on the calculation day. The scheduled calculation day is subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described on page PS-22 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES SUN-1.

 

  
  Step Up Value:     

[130% to 136%] of the Starting Value, rounded to three decimal places. The actual Step Up Value will be determined on the pricing date.

 

  

  Step Up

  Payment:

  

[$3.00 to $3.60] per unit, which represents a return of [30% to 36%] over the principal amount. The actual Step Up Payment will be determined on the pricing date.

 

  

  Threshold

  Value:

 

   100% of the Starting Value.   

  Calculation

  Day:

  

Approximately the fifth scheduled Market Measure Business Day immediately preceding the maturity date, which will be set forth in the final pricing supplement.

 

  

  Fees and

  Charges:

  

The underwriting discount of $0.25 per unit listed on the cover page and the hedging related charge of $0.075 per unit. See “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-16.

 

  

  Joint

  Calculation

  Agents:

  

WFS and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), acting jointly.

 

  

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-3   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:

 

  Product supplement EQUITY INDICES SUN-1 dated April  27, 2018:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72971/000119312518136980/d577892d424b2.htm

 

  Prospectus supplement dated January  24, 2018:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72971/000119312518018256/d466041d424b2.htm

 

  Prospectus dated April 27, 2018:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/72971/000119312518136909/d557983d424b2.htm

When you read the accompanying prospectus supplement, note that all references to the prospectus dated November 3, 2017, or to any sections therein, should refer instead to the accompanying prospectus dated April 27, 2018 or to the corresponding sections of such prospectus, as applicable.

These documents (together, the “Note Prospectus”) have been filed as part of a registration statement with the SEC, which may, without cost, be accessed on the SEC website as indicated above or obtained from MLPF&S by calling 1-800-294-1322. Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, together with this term sheet, for information about us and this offering. Any prior or contemporaneous oral statements and any other written materials you may have received are superseded by the Note Prospectus. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this term sheet have the meanings set forth in product supplement EQUITY INDICES SUN-1. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to Wells Fargo.

Investor Considerations

 

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

 

  

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

 

      You anticipate that the Index will not decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

 

      You are willing to risk a loss of principal and return if the Index decreases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

 

      You are willing to forgo the interest payments that are paid on conventional interest bearing debt securities.

 

      You are willing to forgo dividends or other benefits of owning the stocks included in the Index.

 

      You are willing to accept a limited market or no market for sales prior to maturity, and understand that the market prices for the notes, if any, will be affected by various factors, including our actual and perceived creditworthiness, our assumed funding rate and fees and charges on the notes.

 

      You are willing to assume our credit risk, as issuer of the notes, for all payments under the notes, including the Redemption Amount.

  

      You believe that the Index will decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.

 

      You seek principal repayment or preservation of capital.

 

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

 

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

 

      You seek an investment for which there will be a liquid secondary market or you are unwilling to hold the notes to maturity.

 

      You are unwilling to accept the credit risk of Wells Fargo or unwilling to obtain exposure to the Index through an investment in the notes.

We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-4   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

Hypothetical Payout Profile

The below graph is based on hypothetical numbers and values.

 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

 

LOGO

  

This graph reflects the returns on the notes, based on the Threshold Value of 100% of the Starting Value, a Step Up Value of 133% of the Starting Value (the midpoint of the Step Up Value range of [130% to 136%]) and a Step Up Payment of $3.30 per unit (the midpoint of the Step Up Payment range of [$3.00 to $3.60]). The green line reflects the returns on the notes, while the dotted gray line reflects the returns of a direct investment in the stocks included in the Index, excluding dividends.

 

This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only.

 

See below table for a further illustration of the range of hypothetical payments at maturity.

  
  
  
  
  
  

Hypothetical Payments at Maturity

The following table and examples are for purposes of illustration only. They are based on hypothetical values and show hypothetical returns on the notes. They illustrate the calculation of the Redemption Amount and total rate of return based on a hypothetical Starting Value of 100, a hypothetical Threshold Value of 100, a hypothetical Step Up Value of 133 (the midpoint of the range for the Step Up Value), a hypothetical Step Up Payment of $3.30 per unit (the midpoint of the range for the Step Up Payment), and a hypothetical public offering price of $10.00 per unit. The table and examples illustrate the effect of a range of hypothetical Ending Values. The actual amount you receive and the resulting total rate of return will depend on the actual Starting Value, Threshold Value, Ending Value, Step Up Value, Step Up Payment, the actual price you pay for the notes and whether you hold the notes to maturity. The following examples do not take into account any tax consequences from investing in the notes.

For recent actual levels of the Index, see “The Index” section below. The Index is a price return index and as such the Ending Value will not include any income generated by dividends paid on the stocks included in the Index, which you would otherwise be entitled to receive if you invested in those stocks directly. In addition, all payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.

 

Ending Value

 

Percentage Change from the
Starting Value to the Ending
Value

 

Redemption Amount per

Unit

 

Total Rate of Return on the
Notes

0.00   -100.00%   $0.00   -100.00%
50.00   -50.00%   $5.00   -50.00%
60.00   -40.00%   $6.00   -40.00%
70.00   -30.00%   $7.00   -30.00%
80.00   -20.00%   $8.00   -20.00%
90.00   -10.00%   $9.00   -10.00%
95.00   -5.00%   $9.50   -5.00%
    100.00(1)(2)   0.00%      $13.30(3)   33.00%
105.00   5.00%   $13.30   33.00%
110.00   10.00%   $13.30   33.00%
120.00   20.00%   $13.30   33.00%
130.00   30.00%   $13.30   33.00%
133.00(4)   33.00%   $13.30   33.00%
140.00   40.00%   $14.00   40.00%
150.00   50.00%   $15.00   50.00%
160.00   60.00%   $16.00   60.00%

 

(1) The hypothetical Starting Value of 100 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only, and does not represent a likely actual Starting Value for the Market Measure.
(2) This is the hypothetical Threshold Value.
(3) This amount represents the sum of the principal amount and the hypothetical Step Up Payment of $3.30.
(4) This is the hypothetical Step Up Value.

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-5   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

Redemption Amount Calculation Examples

Example 1

The Ending Value is 50.00, or 50.00% of the Starting Value:

 

Starting Value: 100.00

 

Threshold Value: 100.00

 

Ending Value: 50.00

 

$10 –           $10 ×    

(

 

 

100–50

100

 

)

 

        =  $5.00         Redemption Amount per unit

Example 2

The Ending Value is 110.00, or 110.00% of the Starting Value:

 

Starting Value: 100.00

 

Step Up Value: 133.00

 

Ending Value: 110.00

 

$10.00 + $3.30 = $13.30    Redemption Amount per unit, the principal amount plus the Step Up Payment, since the Ending Value is equal to or greater than the Starting Value, but less than the Step Up Value.

Example 3

The Ending Value is 140.00, or 140.00% of the Starting Value:

 

Starting Value: 100.00

 

Step Up Value: 133.00

 

Ending Value: 140.00

 

$10 +           $10 ×  

(

 

 

140–100

100

 

)

 

        = $14.00    Redemption Amount per unit, the principal amount plus a return equal to the percentage increase in the Index, since the Ending Value is greater than the Step Up Value.

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-6   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

Risk Factors

There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security. An investment in the notes involves significant risks, including those listed below. You should carefully review the more detailed explanation of risks relating to the notes in the “Risk Factors” sections beginning on page PS-7 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES SUN-1 identified above. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.

 

    Depending on the performance of the Index as measured shortly before the maturity date, your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal. As a result, even if the value of the Index has increased at certain times during the term of the notes, if the Ending Value is less than the Threshold Value, you will receive less than, and possibly lose all of, your principal amount.

 

    Your return on the notes may be less than the yield you could earn by owning a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. There will be no periodic interest payments on notes as there would be on a conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt security having the same maturity.

 

    The notes are subject to the credit risk of Wells Fargo. The notes are our obligations and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. Any amounts payable under the notes are subject to our creditworthiness, and you will have no ability to pursue any securities included in the Index for payment. As a result, our actual and perceived creditworthiness may affect the value of the notes 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 notes.

 

    Your investment return may be less than a comparable investment directly in the stocks included in the Index.

 

    The estimated value of the notes is determined by our affiliate’s pricing models, which may differ from those of MLPF&S or other dealers. The estimated value of the notes was determined for us by WFS using its proprietary pricing models and related market inputs and assumptions. Based on these pricing models and related market inputs and assumptions, WFS determined an estimated value for the notes by estimating the value of the combination of hypothetical financial instruments that would replicate the payout on the notes, 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 notes (the “derivative component”).

The estimated value of the debt component is based on a reference interest rate, determined by WFS as of a date near the time of calculation 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. Because the reference interest rate is generally higher than the assumed funding rate that is used to determine the economic terms of the notes, 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, but not limited to, Index performance; interest rates; volatility of the Index; time remaining to maturity; and dividend yields on the securities included in the Index. These inputs may be market-observable or may be based on assumptions made by WFS in its discretion.

The estimated value of the notes is not an independent third-party valuation and certain inputs to these models may be determined by WFS in its discretion. WFS’s views on these inputs may differ from those of MLPF&S and other dealers, and WFS’s estimated value of the notes may be higher, and perhaps materially higher, than the estimated value of the notes that would be determined by MLPF&S or 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 notes.

 

    The estimated value of the notes on the pricing date, based on WFS’s proprietary pricing models, will be less than the public offering price. The public offering price of the notes includes certain costs that are borne by you. Because of these costs, the estimated value of the notes on the pricing date will be less than the public offering price. The costs included in the public offering price relate to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes, as well as to our funding considerations for debt of this type. The costs related to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes include the underwriting discount, the projected profit that our hedge counterparty (which may be MLPF&S or one of its affiliates) expects to realize for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the notes and hedging and other costs relating to the offering of the notes. Our funding considerations are reflected in the fact that we determine the economic terms of the notes 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 notes were lower, or if the assumed funding rate we use to determine the economic terms of the notes were higher, the economic terms of the notes would be more favorable to you and the estimated value would be higher.

 

   

The public offering price you pay for the notes will exceed the initial estimated value. If you attempt to sell the notes prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than the initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, the assumed funding rate used to determine the economic terms of the notes, and the

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-7   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

 

inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount and the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the notes (which includes a hedging related charge), as further described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-16. These factors, together with customary bid ask spreads, other transaction costs and various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the notes, including changes in the level of the Index, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the notes in any secondary market and will affect the value of the notes in complex and unpredictable ways.

 

    The initial estimated value does not represent the price at which we, MLPF&S or any of our respective affiliates would be willing to purchase your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. The value of your notes at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including the performance of the Index, our creditworthiness and changes in market conditions. MLPF&S has advised us that any repurchases by them or their affiliates are expected to be made at prices determined by reference to their pricing models and at their discretion, and these prices will include MLPF&S’s trading commissions and mark-ups. If you sell your notes to a dealer other than MLPF&S in a secondary market transaction, the dealer may impose its own discount or commission.

 

    The notes will be not listed on any securities exchange or quotation system and a trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. None of us, MLPF&S or any of our respective affiliates is obligated to make a market for, or to repurchase, the notes. There is no assurance that any party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price in the secondary market. If a secondary market does exist, it may be limited, which may affect the price you receive upon any sale. Consequently, you should be willing to hold the notes until the maturity date.

 

    If you attempt to sell the notes prior to maturity, their market value, if any, will be affected by various factors that interrelate in complex ways, and their market value may be less than the principal amount. The following factors are expected to affect the value of the notes: value of the Index at such time; volatility of the Index; economic and other conditions generally; interest rates; dividend yields; our creditworthiness; and time to maturity.

 

    Our trading, hedging and other business activities, and those of the agents or one or more of our respective affiliates, may affect your return on the notes and their market value and create conflicts of interest with you. Our business, hedging and trading activities, and those of MLPF&S and our respective affiliates (including trading in shares of companies included in the Index), and any hedging and trading activities we, MLPF&S or our respective affiliates engage in for our clients’ accounts, may adversely affect the level of the Index and, therefore, adversely affect the market value of and return on the notes and may create conflicts of interest with you. We, the agents, and our respective affiliates may also publish research reports on the Index or one of the companies included in the Index, which may be inconsistent with an investment in the notes and may adversely affect the level of the Index. For more information about the hedging arrangements related to the notes, see “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-16.

 

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

 

    The Index sponsor may adjust the Index in a way that affects its level, and has no obligation to consider your interests.

 

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

 

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

 

    There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agents, one of which is our affiliate and one of which is MLPF&S. As joint calculation agents, we will determine any values of the Index and make any other determination necessary to calculate any payments on the notes. In making these determinations, we may be required to make discretionary judgments that may adversely affect any payments on the notes. See the sections entitled “Description of the Notes—Market Disruption Events,” “—Adjustments to an Index,” and “—Discontinuance of an Index” in the accompanying product supplement.

 

    The U.S. federal tax consequences of the notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes. See “United States Federal Income Tax Considerations” below, “Risk Factors—General Risks Relating to the Notes—The U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the notes are unclear” beginning on page PS-14 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES SUN-1 and “United States Federal Tax Considerations” beginning on page PS-33 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES SUN-1.

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-8   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

Additional Risk Factors

The investment strategy represented by the Index may not be successful.

The Index measures the performance of the stocks included in the Russell 1000® Index that are determined by the sponsor of the Index to be “value” stocks, defined as stocks with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth rates. The basic principle of a value investment strategy is to invest in stocks that are determined to be relatively cheap or “undervalued” under the assumption that the value of such stocks will increase over time as the market recognizes such stocks’ “fair” market value. However, stocks that are considered value stocks may fail to appreciate for extended periods of time, and may never realize their full potential value. In addition, stocks that are considered to be value stocks may have lower growth potential than other securities, which may cause the level of the Index to decrease over the term of the notes. Moreover, even if a value strategy on the stocks included in the Russell 1000 Index would generally be successful, the manner in which the Index implements its strategy may prove to be unsuccessful. As described below under “The Index”, the methodology of the Index has set parameters to determine whether a stock should be considered a “value” stock. The Index’s parameters may not effectively implement its value strategy, and there can be no assurance that it will select stocks that are value oriented, or that the Index’s methodology will not underperform any alternative implementation of such a strategy.

Accordingly, the investment strategy represented by the Index may not be successful, and your investment in the notes may result in a loss. An investment in the notes may also underperform an alternative investment linked to the Russell 1000® Index as a whole.

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-9   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

The Index

All disclosures contained in this term sheet regarding the Index, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources. That information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, FTSE Russell, the index sponsor. The consequences of the index sponsor discontinuing publication of the Index are discussed in the section entitled “Description of the Notes—Discontinuance of an Index” on page PS-23 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES SUN-1. None of us, the calculation agents, or MLPF&S has independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any information with respect to the Index in connection with the offer and sale of the notes, nor accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the Index or any successor index.

In addition, information about the Index may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, the index sponsor’s website (including information regarding the Index’s sector weightings). We are not incorporating by reference into this term sheet the website or any material it includes. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available information regarding the Index is accurate or complete.

The Index does not reflect the payment of dividends on the stocks underlying it and therefore the payment on the notes will not produce the same return you would receive if you were able to purchase such underlying stocks and hold them until maturity.

General

The Index is a subset of the Russell 1000® Index, an equity index that measures the capitalization weighted price performance of 1,000 large and mid-capitalization stocks. The Index measures the capitalization weighted price performance of the stocks included in the Russell 1000® Index that are determined by FTSE Russell to be “value” stocks. FTSE Russell assigns the stocks included in the Russell 1000® Index to either the Index, or the Russell 1000® Growth Index (the “Growth Index”). The stocks included in the Index are those that are determined by FTSE Russell to be “value” stocks, defined as stocks with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth rates, while stocks included in the Growth Index are those that are determined by FTSE Russell to be “growth” stocks, defined as stocks with higher price-to-book ratios and greater forecasted growth rates.

FTSE Russell’s Value and Growth Style Methodology

FTSE Russell uses a “non-linear probability” method to assign stocks to the Index and the Growth Index. FTSE Russell uses three variables in the determination of growth and value. For value, book-to-price (B/P) ratio is used, while for growth, two variables—I/B/E/S forecast medium-term growth (2-year) and sales per share historical growth (5-year) are used. The term “probability” is used to indicate the degree of certainty that a stock is value or growth, based on its relative book-to-price (B/P) ratio, I/B/E/S forecast medium-term growth (2 year), and sales per share historical growth (5 year). For the Russell 1000 Index, stocks are ranked by their book-to-price ratio (B/P), their I/B/E/S forecast medium-term growth (2 year) and sales per share historical growth (5 year). These rankings are converted to standardized units, where the value variable represents 50% of the score and the two growth variables represent the remaining 50%. These units are then combined to produce a composite value score (“CVS”). Stocks are then ranked by their CVS, and a probability algorithm is applied to the CVS distribution to assign growth and value weights to each stock. In general, stocks with a lower CVS are considered growth, stocks with a higher CVS are considered value and stocks with a CVS in the middle range are considered to have both growth and value characteristics, and are weighted proportionately in the Index and the Growth Index. Stocks are always fully represented by the combination of their growth and value weights (e.g., a stock that is given a 20% weight in the Index will have an 80% weight in the Growth Index). Style index assignment for non-pricing vehicle share classes will be based on that of the pricing vehicle and assigned consistently across all additional share classes.

Stock A, in Figure 1 below, is a security with 20% of its available shares assigned to the Index and the remaining 80% assigned to the Growth Index. The growth and value probabilities will always sum to 100%. Hence, the sum of a stock’s market capitalization in the Index and the Growth Index will always equal its market capitalization in the Russell 1000® Index.

 

LOGO

In Figure 1 above, the quartile breaks are calculated such that approximately 25% of the available market capitalization lies in each quartile. Stocks at the median are divided 50% in each of the Index and the Growth Index. Stocks above the third quartile are 100% in

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-10   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

the Index, and stocks below the first quartile are 100% in the Growth Index. Stocks falling between the first and third quartile breaks are included in both the Index and the Growth Index to varying degrees depending on how far they are above or below the median and how close they are to the first or third quartile breaks.

5% rule. Approximately 70% of the available market capitalization is classified as all-growth or all-value. The remaining 30% of stocks have some portion of their market value in either the Index or the Growth Index, depending on their relative distance from the median value score. If a stock’s weight is more than 95% in one style index, its weight is increased to 100% in that index.

Banding rule. In an effort to mitigate unnecessary turnover, FTSE Russell implements a banding methodology at the composite value score (CVS) level of the growth and value style algorithm. If a company’s CVS change from the previous year is £ to +/- 0.10 and if the company remains in the same core index (e.g., the Russell 1000® Index), then the CVS remains unchanged during the next reconstitution process. Keeping the CVS static for these companies does not mean its growth/value probability will remain unchanged in all cases due to the relation of a CVS score to the overall index. However, this banding methodology seeks to reduce turnover caused by smaller, less meaningful movements while continuing to allow the larger, more meaningful changes to occur, signaling a true change in a company’s relation to the market.

Missing values, negative values, or low coverage. For the Index and the Growth Index, stocks with missing or negative values for B/P, or missing values for I/B/E/S growth (negative IBES medium-term growth is valid), or missing sales per share historical growth (5yr) (6 years of quarterly numbers are required), are allocated by using the mean value score of the base index (the Russell 1000 Index) RGS (Russell Global Sectors) industry, subsector, or sector group into which the company falls. Each missing (or negative B/P) variable is substituted with the industry, subsector or sector group independently. An industry must have five members or the substitution reverts to the subsector, and so forth to the sector. In addition, a weighted value score is calculated for securities with low analyst coverage for I/B/E/S medium-term growth. For securities with coverage by a single analyst, 2/3 of the industry, subsector, or sector group value score is weighted with 1/3 the security’s independent value score. For those securities with coverage by 2 analysts, 2/3 of the independent security’s value score is used and only 1/3 of the industry, subsector, or sector group is weighted. For those securities with at least three analysts contributing to the I/B/E/S medium-term growth, 100% of the independent security’s value score is used.

Selection of Stocks Underlying the Russell Indices

The Russell 3000E™ Index is the broadest FTSE Russell index, and is the parent index to several other FTSE Russell indices, including the Russell 1000® Index and thus the Index. For purposes of this description, each index that is a sub-set of the Russell 3000E™ Index, including the Index, are referred to collectively as the “Russell Indices” and individually as a “Russell Index.” To be eligible for inclusion in the Russell 3000E™ Index and, consequently, the Index, a company must meet the following criteria as of the rank day in May (except that initial public offerings (“IPOs”) are considered for inclusion on a quarterly basis):

 

    U.S. Equity Market. The company must be determined to be part of the U.S. equity market, meaning that its home country is the United States. If a company incorporates in, has a stated headquarters location in, and also trades in the same country (ADRs and ADSs are not eligible), the company is assigned to its country of incorporation.

If any of the three criteria do not match, FTSE Russell then defines three Home Country Indicators (“HCIs”): country of incorporation, country of headquarters and country of the most liquid exchange as defined by two-year average daily dollar trading volume from all exchanges within a country. After the HCIs are defined, the next step in the country assignment involves an analysis of assets by location. FTSE Russell cross-compares the primary location of the company’s assets with the three HCIs. If the primary location of assets matches any of the HCIs, then the company is assigned to its primary asset location.

If there is not enough information to determine a company’s primary location of assets, FTSE Russell uses the primary location of the company’s revenue for the same cross-comparison and assigns the company to the appropriate country in a similar fashion. FTSE Russell uses an average of two years of assets or revenue data for analysis to reduce potential turnover.

If conclusive country details cannot be derived from assets or revenue, FTSE Russell assigns the company to the country in which its headquarters are located unless the country is a Benefit Driven Incorporation (“BDI”) country. If the country in which its headquarters are located is a BDI country, the company is assigned to the country of its most liquid stock exchange. The BDI countries are Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Cook Islands, Curacao, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Panama, Saba, Saint Eustatius, Saint Maarten and Turks and Caicos Islands.

 

    U.S. Eligible Exchange. The following exchanges and markets are deemed to be eligible U.S. exchanges: the Bats exchanges, IEX, NYSE, NYSE American, the NASDAQ exchanges and NYSE Arca. Stocks that are not traded on an eligible U.S. exchange (Bulletin Board, Pink Sheet and over-the-counter securities, including securities for which prices are displayed on the FINRA Alternative Display Facility) are not eligible for inclusion.

 

    Minimum Closing Price. A stock must have a close price at or above $1.00 (on its primary exchange), subject to exceptions to reduce turnover.

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-11   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

 

    Minimum Total Market Capitalization. Companies with a total market capitalization less than $30 million are not eligible for inclusion.

 

    Minimum Free Float. Companies with 5.5% or less of their shares available in the marketplace are not eligible for inclusion.

 

    Company Structure. Companies structured in the following ways are not eligible for inclusion: royalty trusts, U.S. limited liability companies, closed-end investment companies, business development companies (and other companies that are required to report Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, as defined by the SEC), blank-check companies, special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs), limited partnerships, exchange-traded funds and mutual funds.

 

    UBTI. Real estate investment trusts and publicly traded partnerships that generate or have historically generated unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) and have not taken steps to block UBTI to equity holders are not eligible for inclusion. Information used to confirm UBTI impact includes the following publicly available sources: 10-K, SEC Form S-3, K-1, company annual report, dividend notices or company website.

 

    Security Types. The following types of securities are not eligible for inclusion: preferred and convertible preferred stock, redeemable shares, participating preferred stock, warrants, rights, installment receipts and trust receipts.

 

    Minimum Voting Rights. As of August 2017, more than 5% of a company’s voting rights (aggregated across all of its equity securities, including, where identifiable, those that are not listed or trading) must be in the hands of unrestricted shareholders. Existing constituents have a 5 year grandfathering period to comply or they will be removed from the Index in September 2022.

 

    Multiple Share Classes. If an eligible company trades under multiple share classes, each share class is reviewed independently for eligibility for inclusion. Share classes in addition to the primary share class must meet the following minimum size, liquidity and float requirements to be eligible: (i) total market cap must be larger than that of the smallest company in the Russell 3000E™ Index; (ii) average daily dollar trading value must exceed that of the global median; and (iii) more than 5% of shares must be available in the marketplace.

Securities of eligible companies are included in the Russell 3000E™ Index and, consequently, the Index based on total market capitalization. Total market capitalization is determined by multiplying total outstanding shares by the market price (generally, the last price traded on the primary exchange of the share class with the highest two-year trading volume, subject to exceptions) as of the rank day in May (except that IPOs are considered for inclusion on a quarterly basis). Common stock, non-restricted exchangeable shares and partnership units/membership interests (but not operating partnership units of umbrella partnership real estate investment trusts) are used to calculate a company’s total market capitalization. If multiple share classes of common stock exist, they are combined to determine total shares outstanding; however, in cases where the common stock share classes act independently of each other (e.g., tracking stocks), each class is considered for inclusion separately. For merger and spin-off transactions that are effective between rank day in May and the Friday prior to annual reconstitution in June, the market capitalizations of the impacted securities are recalculated and membership is reevaluated as of the effective date of the corporate action.

The 4,000 securities with the greater total market capitalization become members of the Russell 3000E™ Index. All remaining Russell Indices are a subset of the Russell 3000E™ Index. Market capitalization breakpoints for the Russell 1000® Index (and, thus, the Index) are determined by the break between the companies ranked #1 through #1,000 (based on descending total market capitalization). New members are assigned on the basis of the breakpoints, and existing members are reviewed to determine if they fall within a cumulative 5% market cap range around these new market capitalization breakpoints. If an existing member’s market cap falls within this cumulative 5% of the market capitalization breakpoint, it will remain in its current index rather than be moved to a different Russell Index.

After membership is determined, a security’s shares are adjusted to include only those shares available to the public (“free float”). The purpose of this adjustment is to exclude from market calculations the capitalization that is not available for purchase and is not part of the investable opportunity set. Stocks in the Russell Indices are weighted by their available (also called float-adjusted) market capitalization. The following types of shares are removed from total market capitalization to arrive at free float or available market capitalization, based on information recorded in SEC corporate filings: officers’ and directors’ holdings, private holdings exceeding 10% of shares outstanding, institutional holdings exceeding 30% of shares outstanding, shares held by publicly listed companies, shares held by an Employee Stock Ownership Plan or a Leveraged Employee Stock Ownership Plan; shares locked up during an IPO; direct government holdings; and indirect government holdings exceeding 10% of shares outstanding.

Reconstitution occurs on the last Friday in June. However, at times this date is too proximal to exchange closures and abbreviated exchange trading schedules when market liquidity is exceptionally low. In order to ensure proper liquidity in the markets, when the last Friday in June falls on the 29th or 30th, reconstitution will occur on the preceding Friday. A full calendar for reconstitution is made available each spring.

Corporate Actions and Events Affecting the Russell Indices

FTSE Russell applies corporate actions to the Russell Indices on a daily basis. FTSE Russell applies the following methodology guidelines, among others, when adjusting the applicable Russell Index in response to corporate actions:

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-12   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

 

    “No Replacement” Rule. Securities that leave the relevant Russell Index for any reason (e.g., mergers, acquisitions or other similar corporate activity) are not replaced. Thus, the number of securities in the relevant Russell Index over a year will fluctuate according to corporate activity.

 

    Statement of Principles and Adjustments for Specific Corporate Events. FTSE Russell has stated as general principles that the treatment of corporate events (a) should reflect how such events are likely to be dealt with in investment portfolios to maintain the portfolio structure in line with the target set out in the index objective and index methodology and (b) should normally be designed to minimize the trading activity required by investors to match the index performance. No assurance can be provided that corporate actions and events will be treated by FTSE Russell in a manner consistent with its statement of general principles.

In addition, FTSE Russell has established guidance for the treatment of corporate actions and events, including , but not limited to, dividends, capital repayments, companies converting to a REIT structure, share buybacks, rights issues, mergers, acquisitions, tender offers, split-offs, spin-offs, bankruptcies, insolvencies, liquidations and trading suspensions. However, because of the complexities involved in some cases, those guidelines are not definitive rules that will determine FTSE Russell’s actions in all circumstances. FTSE Russell reserves the right to determine the most appropriate method of implementation for any corporate event which is not covered by those guidelines or which is of a complex nature.

 

    Changes to Shares Outstanding and Free Float. Each Russell Index will be reviewed quarterly for updates to shares outstanding and to free floats used within the calculation of each Russell Index. In March, September and December, shares outstanding and free float will be updated to reflect changes greater than 1% for cumulative shares in issue changes and changes greater than 3% (or 1%, for constituents with a free float of 15% or below) for cumulative free float changes. In June the shares and free float updates will be implemented regardless of size. Shares and free float updates can be triggered in some cases by certain events, such as some primary or secondary offerings.

The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the Index in the period from January 1, 2008 through June 11, 2018. We obtained this historical data from Bloomberg L.P. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from Bloomberg L.P. On June 11, 2018, the closing level of the Index was 1,216.325.

Historical Performance of the Index

 

LOGO

This historical data on the Index is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Index or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the level of the Index during any period set forth above is not an indication that the level of the Index is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.

License Agreement

We and FTSE Russell have entered into a non-transferable, non-exclusive license agreement providing for the license to us, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use the Index in connection with the issuance of the notes.

The license agreement between us and FTSE Russell provides that the following language must be stated in this term sheet:

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-13   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

“The notes are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by FTSE Russell. FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the notes or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the notes particularly or the ability of the Index to track general stock market performance or a segment of the same. FTSE Russell’s publication of the Index in no way suggests or implies an opinion by FTSE Russell as to the advisability of investment in any or all of the securities upon which the Index is based. FTSE Russell’s only relationship to Wells Fargo & Company is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of FTSE Russell and of the Index which is determined, composed and calculated by FTSE Russell without regard to Wells Fargo & Company or the notes. FTSE Russell is not responsible for and has not reviewed the notes nor any associated literature or publications and FTSE Russell makes no representation or warranty express or implied as to their accuracy or completeness, or otherwise. FTSE Russell reserves the right, at any time and without notice, to alter, amend, terminate or in any way change the Index. FTSE Russell has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the notes.

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

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-14   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

Supplement to the Plan of Distribution

Under our distribution agreement with MLPF&S, MLPF&S will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount.

We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than two business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the notes occurs more than two business days from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than two business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. In the original offering of the notes, the notes will be sold in minimum investment amounts of 100 units. If you place an order to purchase the notes, you are consenting to MLPF&S acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.

MLPF&S has advised us that it or its affiliates may repurchase and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices determined by reference to their pricing models and at their discretion, and these prices will include MLPF&S’s trading commissions and mark-ups. MLPF&S may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however, it is not obligated to engage in any such transactions. MLPF&S has informed us that at MLPF&S’s discretion, assuming no changes in market conditions from the pricing date, MLPF&S may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the notes for a short initial period after the issuance of the notes. Any price offered by MLPF&S for the notes is expected to be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Index and the remaining term of the notes. However, none of us, MLPF&S, or any of our respective affiliates is obligated to purchase your notes at any price or at any time, and we cannot assure you that we, MLPF&S, or any of our respective affiliates will purchase your notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the notes.

MLPF&S has informed us that, as of the date of this term sheet, it expects that if you hold your notes in a MLPF&S account, the value of the notes shown on your account statement will be based on MLPF&S’s estimate of the value of the notes if MLPF&S or another of its affiliates were to make a market in the notes, which it is not obligated to do; and that estimate will be based upon the price that MLPF&S may pay for the notes in light of then-prevailing market conditions, and other considerations, as mentioned above, and will include transaction costs. Any such price may be higher than or lower than the initial estimated value of the notes.

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

An investor’s household, as referenced on the cover of this term sheet, will generally include accounts held by any of the following, as determined by MLPF&S in its discretion and acting in good faith based upon information then available to MLPF&S:

 

    the investor’s spouse (including a domestic partner), siblings, parents, grandparents, spouse’s parents, children and grandchildren, but excluding accounts held by aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews or any other family relationship not directly above or below the individual investor;

 

    a family investment vehicle, including foundations, limited partnerships and personal holding companies, but only if the beneficial owners of the vehicle consist solely of the investor or members of the investor’s household as described above; and

 

    a trust where the grantors and/or beneficiaries of the trust consist solely of the investor or members of the investor’s household as described above; provided that, purchases of the notes by a trust generally cannot be aggregated together with any purchases made by a trustee’s personal account.

Purchases in retirement accounts will not be considered part of the same household as an individual investor’s personal or other non-retirement account, except for individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”), simplified employee pension plans (“SEPs”), savings incentive match plan for employees (“SIMPLEs”), and single-participant or owners only accounts (i.e., retirement accounts held by self-employed individuals, business owners or partners with no employees other than their spouses).

Please contact your Merrill Lynch financial advisor if you have any questions about the application of these provisions to your specific circumstances or think you are eligible.

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-15   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

Structuring the Notes

The notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Index. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our market-linked notes, the economic terms of the notes reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness at the time of pricing. Because of the higher issuance, operational and ongoing management costs of market-linked notes as compared to our conventional debt of the same maturity, as well as our liquidity needs and preferences, the assumed funding rate we use in pricing market-linked notes 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. This relatively lower assumed funding rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the notes, along with other costs relating to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes, results in the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date being less than the public offering price. If the costs relating to selling, structuring, hedging and issuing the notes were lower, or if the funding rate we use to determine the economic terms of the notes were higher, the economic terms of the notes would be more favorable to you and the estimated value would be higher.

The Redemption Amount payable at maturity will be calculated based on the $10 principal amount per unit and will depend on the performance of the Index. In order to meet these payment obligations, at the time we issue the notes, we expect to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with MLPF&S or one of its affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined by seeking bids from market participants, which may include us, MLPF&S and one of our respective affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Index, the tenor of the notes and the tenor of the hedging arrangements. The economic terms of the notes and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements.

MLPF&S has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include a hedging related charge of approximately $0.075 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to MLPF&S from these transactions. Since hedging entails risk and may be influenced by unpredictable market forces, additional profits and losses from these hedging arrangements may be realized by us, MLPF&S or any other hedge providers. Any profit in connection with such hedging activity will be in addition to any other compensation that we, the agents, and our respective affiliates receive for the sale of notes, which creates an additional incentive to sell the notes to you.

For further information, see “Risk Factors—General Risks Relating to the Notes” beginning on page PS-7 and “Use of Proceeds and Hedging” on page PS-18 of product supplement EQUITY INDICES SUN-1.

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-16   


Market-Linked Step Up Notes

Linked to the Russell 1000® Value Index, due January     , 2023

 

 

 

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

You should read carefully the discussion under “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement and “Selected Risk Considerations” in this term sheet.

In the opinion of our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, which is based on current market conditions, a note should be treated as a prepaid derivative contract that is an “open transaction” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. By purchasing a note, you agree (in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary) to this treatment. There is uncertainty regarding this treatment, and the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or a court might not agree with it.

Assuming this treatment of the notes is respected and subject to the discussion in “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result under current law:

 

    You should not recognize taxable income over the term of the notes prior to maturity, other than pursuant to a sale or exchange.

 

    Upon a sale or exchange of a note (including retirement at maturity), you should recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in the note. Such gain or loss should be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the note for more than one year.

Subject to the discussion below, if you are a non-U.S. holder (as defined in the accompanying product supplement) of the notes, you generally should not be subject to U.S. federal withholding or income tax in respect of any amount paid to you with respect to the notes, provided that (i) income in respect of the notes is not effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States, and (ii) you comply with the applicable certification requirements.

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; the degree, if any, to which income (including any mandated accruals) realized by non-U.S. investors should be subject to withholding tax; and whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” regime, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose a notional interest charge. 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 notes, 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.

Possible Withholding Under Section 871(m) of the Code. Section 871(m) of the Code and Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 871(m)”) generally impose a 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid to non-U.S. holders with respect to certain financial instruments linked to U.S. equities (“U.S. underlying equities”) or indices that include U.S. underlying equities. Section 871(m) generally applies to instruments that substantially replicate the economic performance of one or more U.S. underlying equities, as determined based on tests set forth in the applicable Treasury regulations (a “specified equity-linked instrument” or “specified ELI”). However, the regulations, as modified by an IRS notice, exempt financial instruments issued in 2018 that do not have a “delta” of one. Based on the terms of the notes and representations provided by us, our counsel is of the opinion that the notes should not be treated as transactions that have a “delta” of one within the meaning of the regulations with respect to any U.S. underlying equity and, therefore, should not be specified ELIs subject to withholding tax under Section 871(m).

A determination that the notes are not subject to Section 871(m) is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this treatment. Moreover, Section 871(m) is complex and its application may depend on your particular circumstances. For example, if you enter into other transactions relating to a U.S. underlying equity, you could be subject to withholding tax or income tax liability under Section 871(m) even if the notes are not specified ELIs subject to Section 871(m) as a general matter. You should consult your tax adviser regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) to the notes.

This information is indicative and will be updated in the final pricing supplement or may otherwise be updated by us in writing from time to time. Non-U.S. holders should be warned that Section 871(m) may apply to the notes based on circumstances as of the pricing date for the notes and, therefore, it is possible that the notes will be subject to withholding tax under Section 871(m).

In the event withholding applies, we will not be required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts withheld.

You should read the section entitled “United States Federal Tax Considerations” in the accompanying product supplement. The preceding discussion, when read in combination with that section, constitutes the full opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP regarding the material U.S. federal tax consequences of owning and disposing of the notes.

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

 


 

Market-Linked Step Up Notes

  TS-17