Subject to Completion Preliminary Term Sheet dated June 4, 2025 |
Filed Pursuant to Rule 433 Registration Statement No. 333-272447 (To Prospectus dated September 5, 2023, Prospectus Supplement dated September 5, 2023 and Product Supplement EQUITY ARN-1 dated September 5, 2023) |
Units $10 principal amount per unit CUSIP No. ![]() |
Pricing Date* Settlement Date* Maturity Date* |
June , 2025 July , 2025 August , 2026 |
*Subject to change based on the actual date the notes are priced for initial sale to the public (the “pricing date”) |
Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF | |
§ | Maturity of approximately 14 months |
§ | 3-to-1 upside exposure to increases in the Underlying Fund, subject to a capped return of [11.00% to 15.00%] |
§ | 1-to-1 downside exposure to decreases in the Underlying Fund, with up to 100% of your investment at risk |
§ | All payments occur at maturity and are subject to the credit risk of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce |
§ | No periodic interest payments |
§ | In addition to the underwriting discount set forth below, the notes include a hedging-related charge of $0.05 per unit. See “Structuring the Notes” |
§ | Limited secondary market liquidity, with no exchange listing |
§ | The notes are unsecured debt securities and are not savings accounts or insured deposits of a bank. The notes are not insured or guaranteed by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Canada, or any other jurisdiction |
The notes are being issued by Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”). There are important differences between the notes and a conventional debt security, including different investment risks and certain additional costs. See “Risk Factors” and “Additional Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-6 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1.
The initial estimated value of the notes as of the pricing date is expected to be between $9.24 and $9.64 per unit, which is less than the public offering price listed below. See “Summary” on the following page, “Risk Factors” beginning on page TS-6 of this term sheet and “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-12 of this term sheet for additional information. The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.
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) | $ 10.000 | $ |
Underwriting discount(1) | $ 0.175 | $ |
Proceeds, before expenses, to CIBC | $ 9.825 | $ |
(1) For any purchase of 300,000 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 $0.125 per unit, respectively. See “Supplement to the Plan of Distribution” below.
The notes:
Are Not FDIC Insured | Are Not Bank Guaranteed | May Lose Value |
BofA Securities
June , 2025
Accelerated
Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
|
Summary
The Accelerated Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 (the “notes”) are our senior unsecured debt securities. The notes are not guaranteed or insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency of the United States, Canada or any other jurisdiction or secured by collateral. The notes are not bail-inable debt securities (as defined on page 6 of the prospectus). 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 CIBC. The notes provide you a leveraged return, subject to a cap, if the Ending Value of the Market Measure, which is the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (the “Underlying Fund”), is greater than 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 Underlying Fund, subject to our credit risk. See “Terms of the Notes” below.
The economic terms of the notes (including the Capped Value) are based on our internal funding rate, which is the rate we would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of market-linked notes, and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements. Our internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed rate debt securities. This difference in funding rate, as well as the underwriting discount and the hedging-related charge and certain service fee described below, will reduce the economic terms of the notes to you and the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date. Due to these factors, the public offering price you pay to purchase the notes will be greater than the initial estimated value of the notes.
On the cover page of this term sheet, we have provided the initial estimated value range for the notes. This initial estimated value range was determined based on our pricing models. The initial estimated value as of the pricing date will be based on our internal funding rate on the pricing date, market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, and our assumptions about market parameters. For more information about the initial estimated value and the structuring of the notes, see “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-12.
Terms of the Notes | Redemption Amount Determination | |
Issuer: | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (“CIBC”) | On the maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per unit determined as follows: |
Principal Amount: | $10.00 per unit | ![]() |
Term: | Approximately 14 months | |
Market Measure: | The iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (Bloomberg symbol: “ITA”). | |
Starting Value: | The Closing Market Price of the Underlying Fund on the pricing date. | |
Ending Value: | The average of the products of (a) the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Fund on each calculation day during the Maturity Valuation Period times (b) the Price Multiplier as of that day. The scheduled calculation days are subject to postponement in the event of Market Disruption Events, as described beginning on page PS-21 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1. | |
Participation Rate: | 300% | |
Capped Value: | [$11.10 to $11.50] per unit, which represents a return of [11.00% to 15.00%] over the principal amount. The actual Capped Value will be determined on the pricing date. | |
Maturity Valuation Period: | Five scheduled calculation days shortly before the maturity date | |
Price Multiplier: | 1, subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to the Underlying Fund, as described beginning on page PS-25 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1. | |
Fees and Charges: | The underwriting discount of $0.175 per unit listed on the cover page and the hedging-related charge of $0.05 per unit described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-12. | |
Calculation Agent: | BofA Securities, Inc. (“BofAS”) |
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-2 |
Accelerated
Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
|
The terms and risks of the notes are contained in this term sheet and in the following:
§ | Product supplement EQUITY ARN-1 dated September 5, 2023: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000110465923098258/tm2325339d3_424b5.htm |
§ | Prospectus supplement dated September 5, 2023: |
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000110465923098166/tm2322483d94_424b5.htm
§ | Prospectus dated September 5, 2023: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1045520/000110465923098163/tm2325339d10_424b3.htm |
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 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) or BofAS by calling 1-800-294-1322. Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including 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 ARN-1. Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context requires otherwise, all references in this document to “we,” “us,” “our,” or similar references are to CIBC.
Investor Considerations
You may wish to consider an investment in the notes if:
§ | You anticipate that the Underlying Fund will increase moderately from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. |
§ | You are willing to risk a loss of principal if the Underlying Fund decreases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. |
§ | You accept that the return on the notes will be capped. |
§ | 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 shares of the Underlying Fund or the securities held by the Underlying Fund. |
§ | You are willing to accept a limited 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 internal 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. |
The notes may not be an appropriate investment for you if:
§ | You believe that the Underlying Fund will decrease from the Starting Value to the Ending Value or that it will not increase sufficiently over the term of the notes to provide you with your desired return. |
§ | You seek principal repayment or preservation of capital. |
§ | You seek an uncapped return on your investment. |
§ | You seek interest payments or other current income on your investment. |
§ | You want to receive dividends or other distributions paid on shares of the Underlying Fund or the securities held by the Underlying Fund. |
§ | You seek an investment for which there will be a liquid secondary market. |
§ | You are unwilling or are unable to take market risk on the notes or to take our credit risk as issuer of the notes. |
We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-3 |
Accelerated
Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
|
Hypothetical Payout Profile and Examples of Payments at Maturity
The graph below is based on hypothetical numbers and values.
Accelerated Return Notes® |
This graph reflects the returns on the notes, based on the Participation Rate of 300% and a hypothetical Capped Value of $11.30 per unit (the midpoint of the Capped Value range of [$11.10 to $11.50]). The green line reflects the returns on the notes, while the dotted gray line reflects the returns of a direct investment in the Underlying Fund, excluding dividends. This graph has been prepared for purposes of illustration only. |
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, the Participation Rate of 300%, a hypothetical Capped Value of $11.30 per unit and 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, Ending Value and Capped Value, 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 prices of the Underlying Fund, see “The Underlying Fund” section below. All payments on the notes are subject to issuer credit risk.
Ending Value |
Percentage Change
from the |
Redemption Amount
|
Total Rate of
Return on the |
0.00 | -100.00% | $0.00 | -100.00% |
50.00 | -50.00% | $5.00 | -50.00% |
80.00 | -20.00% | $8.00 | -20.00% |
90.00 | -10.00% | $9.00 | -10.00% |
94.00 | -6.00% | $9.40 | -6.00% |
97.00 | -3.00% | $9.70 | -3.00% |
100.00(1) | 0.00% | $10.00 | 0.00% |
102.00 | 2.00% | $10.60 | 6.00% |
103.00 | 3.00% | $10.90 | 9.00% |
104.34 | 4.34% | $11.30(2) | 13.00% |
130.00 | 30.00% | $11.30 | 13.00% |
150.00 | 50.00% | $11.30 | 13.00% |
200.00 | 100.00% | $11.30 | 13.00% |
(1) | The hypothetical Starting Value of 100.00 used in these examples has been chosen for illustrative purposes only, and does not represent a likely actual Starting Value for the Underlying Fund . |
(2) | The Redemption Amount per unit cannot exceed the hypothetical Capped Value. |
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-4 |
Accelerated
Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
|
Redemption Amount Calculation Examples
Example 1 | |||||
The Ending Value is 50.00, or 50.00% of the Starting Value: | |||||
Starting Value: 100.00 | |||||
Ending Value: 50.00 | |||||
|
= $5.00 Redemption Amount per unit | ||||
Example 2 | |||||
The Ending Value is 103.00, or 103.00% of the Starting Value: | |||||
Starting Value: 100.00 | |||||
Ending Value: 103.00 | |||||
![]() |
= $10.90 Redemption Amount per unit | ||||
Example 3 | |||||
The Ending Value is 130.00, or 130.00% of the Starting Value: | |||||
Starting Value: 100.00 | |||||
Ending Value: 130.00 | |||||
![]() |
= $19.00, however, because the Redemption Amount for the notes cannot exceed the hypothetical Capped Value, the Redemption Amount will be $11.30 per unit | ||||
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-5 |
Accelerated
Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
|
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-6 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1, page S-1 of the prospectus supplement, and page 1 of the prospectus identified above. We also urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting, and other advisors before you invest in the notes.
Structure-related Risks
§ | Depending on the performance of the Underlying Fund as measured shortly before the maturity date, you may lose up to 100% of the principal amount. |
§ | Your investment return is limited to the return represented by the Capped Value and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the Underlying Fund or the securities held by the Underlying Fund. |
§ | 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. |
§ | Payments on the notes are subject to our credit risk, and actual or perceived changes in our creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the notes. If we become insolvent or are unable to pay our obligations, you may lose your entire investment. |
Valuation- and Market-related Risks
§ | Our initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the public offering price of the notes. The public offering price of the notes will exceed our initial estimated value because costs associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as hedging the notes, all as further described in “Structuring the Notes” on page TS-12, are included in the public offering price of the notes. |
§ | Our initial estimated value does not represent future values of the notes and may differ from others’ estimates. Our initial estimated value is only an estimate, which will be determined by reference to our internal pricing models when the terms of the notes are set. This estimated value will be based on market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, our internal funding rate on the pricing date and our assumptions about market parameters, which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide valuations for the notes that are greater or less than our initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any assumptions may prove to be incorrect. On future dates, the market value of the notes could change significantly based on, among other things, changes in market conditions, including the price of the Underlying Fund, our creditworthiness, interest rate movements and other relevant factors, which may impact the price at which MLPF&S, BofAS or any other party would be willing to buy notes from you in any secondary market transactions. Our estimated value does not represent a minimum price at which MLPF&S, BofAS or any other party would be willing to buy your notes in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time. |
§ | Our initial estimated value of the notes will not be determined by reference to credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The internal funding rate to be used in the determination of our initial estimated value of the notes generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for our conventional fixed-rate debt. The discount is based on, among other things, our view of the funding value of the notes as well as the higher issuance, operational and ongoing liability management costs of the notes in comparison to those costs for our conventional fixed-rate debt. If we were to use the interest rate implied by our conventional fixed-rate debt, we would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Consequently, our use of an internal funding rate for market-linked notes would have an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes, the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date, and any secondary market prices of the notes. |
§ | A trading market is not expected to develop for the notes. None of us, MLPF&S or BofAS 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 any secondary market. |
Conflict-related Risks
§ | Our business, hedging and trading activities, and those of MLPF&S, BofAS and our respective affiliates (including trades in shares of the Underlying Fund or the securities held by the Underlying Fund), and any hedging and trading activities we, MLPF&S, BofAS or our respective affiliates engage in for our clients’ accounts, may affect the market value and return of the notes and may create conflicts of interest with you. |
§ | There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent, which is BofAS. We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent. |
Market Measure-related Risks
§ | The sponsor and investment advisor of the Underlying Fund may adjust the Underlying Fund in a way that could adversely affect the price of the Underlying Fund and consequently, the return on the notes, and have no obligation to consider your interests. |
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-6 |
Accelerated
Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
|
§ | As a noteholder, you will have no rights of a holder of shares of the Underlying Fund or the securities held by the Underlying Fund, and you will not be entitled to receive securities, dividends or other distributions by the issuers of those securities. |
§ | While we, MLPF&S, BofAS or our respective affiliates may from time to time own securities of companies included in the Underlying Fund, we, MLPF&S, BofAS and our respective affiliates do not control any company included in the Underlying Fund, and have not verified any disclosure made by any other company. |
§ | There are liquidity and management risks associated with the Underlying Fund. |
§ | The performance of the Underlying Fund may not correlate with the performance of its Underlying Index as well as the net asset value per share of the Underlying Fund, especially during periods of market volatility when the liquidity and the market price of shares of the Underlying Fund and/or the securities held by the Underlying Fund may be adversely affected, sometimes materially. |
§ | The payments on the notes will not be adjusted for all corporate events that could affect the Underlying Fund. See “Description of ARNs—Anti-Dilution and Discontinuance Adjustments Relating to Underlying Funds” beginning on page PS-25 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1. |
Tax-related Risks
§ | The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the notes are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the notes. See “Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” below and “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” beginning on page PS-37 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1. For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the notes, see “Material Income Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the prospectus, as supplemented by the discussion under “Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations” herein. |
Additional Risk Factors
The securities held by the Underlying Fund are concentrated in one sector.
All of the securities held by the Underlying Fund are issued by companies whose primary lines of business are directly associated with the aerospace and defense sector. As a result, the securities that will determine the performance of the notes are concentrated in one sector. Although an investment in the notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the securities held by the Underlying Fund, the return on the notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct investment in the aerospace and defense sector. Accordingly, by investing in the notes, you will not benefit from the diversification which could result from an investment linked to companies that operate in multiple sectors.
Adverse conditions in the aerospace and defense sector may reduce your return on the notes.
The Underlying Fund holds securities issued by companies in the aerospace and defense sector. The aerospace and defense sector may be significantly affected by changes in government regulations and spending policies, changes in economic conditions and industry consolidation as well as geopolitical events, international conflicts and other factors that interact in complex and unpredictable ways. The financial condition of these companies is heavily influenced by government defense spending, which may be reduced in efforts to control government budgets. The aerospace industry in particular has recently been affected by adverse economic conditions and consolidation within the industry. Adverse developments in the aerospace and defense sector are expected to have an adverse effect on the price of the Underlying Fund and, as a result, on the return on the notes.
A limited number of equity securities held by the Underlying Fund may affect its price, and the Underlying Index is not necessarily representative of the aerospace and defense sector.
The number of securities held by the Underlying Fund is limited. As of June 3, 2025, the top three equity securities held by the Underlying Fund constituted 45.41% of the total weight of the Underlying Fund, and the top one security constituted 20.97% of the total weight. Given this concentration, any reduction in the market price of those securities is likely to have a substantial adverse impact on the price of the Underlying Fund and the return on the notes.
While the securities included in the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index (the “Underlying Index”) are equity securities of companies generally considered to be involved in the aerospace and defense sector, the securities included in the Underlying Index may not follow the price movements of the entire aerospace and defense sector generally. If the securities included in the Underlying Index (and, accordingly, the securities held by the Underlying Fund) decline in value, the Underlying Fund will decline in value even if security prices in the aerospace and defense sector generally increase in value.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-7 |
Accelerated
Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
|
The Underlying Fund
All disclosures contained in this term sheet regarding the Underlying Fund and the Underlying Index, including, without limitation, their make-up, method of their calculation, and changes in their components, have been derived from publicly available sources which we have not independently verified. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, BlackRock Fund Advisors, which is the investment advisor of the Underlying Fund. The consequences of any discontinuance of the Underlying Fund or the Underlying Index are discussed in the section entitled “Description of ARNs—Anti-Dilution and Discontinuance Adjustments Relating to Underlying Funds—Discontinuance of or Material Change to an Underlying Fund” beginning on page PS-28 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1. None of us, the calculation agent, MLPF&S or BofAS accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance, or publication of the Underlying Fund, the Underlying Index, or any successor fund or index.
The iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF
The Underlying Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. The Underlying Index was developed by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“SPDJI”) and is designed to track the performance of U.S. equities in the aerospace and defense sector. The Underlying Fund uses a representative sampling strategy to try to track the Underlying Index and generally will invest at least 80% of its assets in the components of the Underlying Index. The returns of the Underlying Fund will be reduced by certain management fees and other expenses, which are detailed in its prospectus and which may cause the Underlying Fund to underperform the components of the Underlying Index. Shares of the Underlying Fund trade on the Cboe BZX under the ticker symbol “ITA.”
Information filed by the Underlying Fund with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act can be located by reference to the SEC file numbers 333-92935 and 811-09729, respectively on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, information about the Underlying Fund may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, the Underlying Fund’s website. We are not incorporating by reference into this pricing supplement the website or any material it includes. Neither we nor the agent makes any representation that such publicly available information regarding the Underlying Fund is accurate or complete.
The Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index
General
The Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of U.S. companies in the aerospace and defense sector. Component companies consist of manufacturers, assemblers and distributors of aircraft and aircraft parts primarily used in commercial or private air transport and producers of components and equipment for the defense industry, including military aircraft, radar equipment and weapons. The index has a base date of December 31, 1991. The level of the index is reported by Bloomberg L.P. under the ticker symbol “DJSASD.”
Index Eligibility
The index universe includes all common stocks of companies in the Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index that are categorized into the aerospace or defense sectors, based on a proprietary classification system used by SPDJI. The Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index is designed to measure the performance of large- and small-capitalization U.S. equity securities. To be eligible for inclusion in the Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index, a company must be a “U.S. company”, which is generally defined as (1) a company that files 10-K annual reports, (2) for which the U.S. portion of fixed assets and revenues constitute a plurality of the total, but need not exceed 50%, (3) its primary listing must be on one of the following U.S. stock exchanges: NYSE, Nasdaq Capital Market, NYSE Arca, CBOE BZX, NYSE American, CBOE BYX, Nasdaq Global Select Market, CBOE EDGA, Nasdaq Select Market, CBOE EDGX, and (4) a corporation (including equity and mortgage REITs). Only common stock of a company is eligible for inclusion in the Dow Jones U.S. Broad Stock Market Index. All publicly listed multiple share class lines are eligible for inclusion in that index, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
Constituent Selection
On the last business day of the month prior to the quarterly rebalancing, a nonconstituent company must have float-adjusted market capitalization of at least $500 million to enter the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. If a company is already an index constituent, its float-adjusted market capitalization must be at least $250 million to remain in the index. At each quarterly rebalancing, if the component count is less than 22 after applying the rules set forth in the eligibility criteria, the market capitalization requirement is relaxed so that the next largest non-component in the eligible universe is added until the component count reaches 22.
Index Calculation
The Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index is a capped, float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index. On any given day, its index value is the total float-adjusted market capitalization its constituents divided by its divisor. The float-adjusted market capitalization reflects the price of each stock in the index multiplied by the number of shares used in the index value calculation, and reflects adjustments from an additional weight factor (“AWF”) used to confine constituents to a maximum weight (as set forth below) and distribute excess weight among remaining constituents.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-8 |
Accelerated
Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
|
Constituent Weighting
The Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index is weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization, subject to the following adjustments, which are made as part of the quarterly rebalancings in March, June, September, and December:
· | The weight of any individual company is capped at 22.50%. |
· | If any company’s weight exceeds 22.50%, that company’s weight is capped at 22.50% and all excess weight is proportionally redistributed to all uncapped companies within the index. If after this redistribution, any company breaches the 22.50% weight cap, the process is repeated iteratively until no company breaches the 22.50% weight cap. |
· | Then, the aggregate weight of the companies in the index with a weight greater than 4.50% is capped at 45%. |
Index Rebalancing
The Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index is rebalanced quarterly, effective at the open of trading on the Monday following the third Friday of March, June, September and December. Component eligibility is determined as of the last trading day of the month prior to rebalancing. As part of the rebalancing process, index composition, shares and weight caps are adjusted, if necessary.
Additions
With the exception of spin-offs, no additions are made to the index between quarterly rebalancings.
Deletions
Between rebalancings, a company can be deleted from the index due to corporate events such as mergers, acquisitions, takeovers, delistings or bankruptcies. Deleted constituents are not replaced between rebalancings. If, during the course of the regular review of company classifications, a constituent’s sub-sector classification changes to an ineligible sub-sector, it is removed from the index at the next rebalancing. If a constituent’s sector classification changes due to a corporate action such as a merger or spin-off, it is evaluated and may be removed from the index at that time.
In addition to the scheduled quarterly rebalancings, the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Changes in index composition and related weight adjustments are necessary whenever there are extraordinary events such as delistings, bankruptcies, mergers, or takeovers involving index components. In these cases, each event will be taken into account as soon as it is effective. Whenever possible, the changes in the index components will be announced at least two business days prior to their implementation date.
Type of Corporate Action |
Comments | Divisor Adjustment |
Company Addition/Deletion |
Addition: Companies are added at the float-adjusted market capitalization weight. Deletion: The weights of all stocks in the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index will proportionally change. Relative weights will stay the same. |
Yes |
Change in Shares Outstanding | Increasing (decreasing) the shares outstanding increases (decreases) the market capitalization of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. | Yes |
Split/Reverse Split | Shares outstanding are adjusted by split ratio. Stock price is adjusted by split ratio. | No |
Spin-off | The spun-off company is added to the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index at a zero price after the market close of the day before the ex-date (with no divisor adjustment). It will remain in the index until the next index rebalancing, at which time it will be evaluated for continued membership. | Maybe |
Change in Investable Weight Factor (“IWF”) | Increasing (decreasing) the IWF increases (decreases) the market capitalization of the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. | Yes |
Special Dividends | The stock price is adjusted by the amount of the dividend. | Yes |
Rights Offering | All rights offerings that are in the money on the ex-date are applied under the assumption the rights are fully subscribed. The stock price is adjusted by the value of the rights and the shares outstanding are increased by the rights ratio. | Yes |
Index Governance
An S&P Dow Jones Indices Index Committee (the “Index Committee”) maintains the Dow Jones U.S. Select Aerospace & Defense Index. All Index Committee members are full-time professional members of SPDJI’s staff. The Index Committee meets regularly. At each meeting, the Index Committee may review pending corporate actions that may affect index constituents, statistics comparing the composition of the index to the market, companies that are being considered as candidates for addition to the index, and any significant
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-9 |
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Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
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market events. In addition, the Index Committee may revise index policy covering rules for selecting companies, treatment of dividends, share counts or other matters.
The Index Committee reserves the right to make exceptions when applying the methodology if the need arises.
The following graph shows the daily historical performance of the Underlying Fund on its primary exchange in the period from January 1, 2015 through June 3, 2025. 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 3, 2025, the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Fund was $179.35. The graph below may have been adjusted to reflect certain corporate actions such as stock splits and reverse stock splits.
Historical Performance of the Underlying Fund
This historical data on the Underlying Fund is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the Underlying Fund or what the value of the notes may be. Any historical upward or downward trend in the price per share of the Underlying Fund during any period set forth above is not an indication that the price per share of the Underlying Fund is more or less likely to increase or decrease at any time over the term of the notes.
Before investing in the notes, you should consult publicly available sources for the prices and trading pattern of the Underlying Fund.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-10 |
Accelerated
Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
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Supplement to the Plan of Distribution
Under our distribution agreement with BofAS, BofAS will purchase the notes from us as principal at the public offering price indicated on the cover of this term sheet, less the indicated underwriting discount. MLPF&S will in turn purchase the notes from BofAS for resale, and it will receive a selling concession in connection with the sale of the notes in an amount up to the full amount of the underwriting discount set forth on the cover of this term sheet.
We will pay a fee to a broker dealer in which an affiliate of BofAS has an ownership interest for providing certain services with respect to this offering, which will reduce the economic terms of the notes to you.
We may deliver the notes against payment therefor in New York, New York on a date that is greater than one business day following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, if the initial settlement of the notes occurs more than one business day from the pricing date, purchasers who wish to trade the notes more than one business day prior to the original issue date will be required to specify alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
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 and/or one of its affiliates acting as a principal in effecting the transaction for your account.
MLPF&S and BofAS may repurchase and resell the notes, with repurchases and resales being made at prices related to then-prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, and these prices will include MLPF&S’s and BofAS’s trading commissions and mark-ups or mark-downs. MLPF&S and BofAS may act as principal or agent in these market-making transactions; however, neither is obligated to engage in any such transactions. At their discretion, for a short, undetermined initial period after the issuance of the notes, MLPF&S and BofAS may offer to buy the notes in the secondary market at a price that may exceed the initial estimated value of the notes. Any price offered by MLPF&S or BofAS for the notes will be based on then-prevailing market conditions and other considerations, including the performance of the Underlying Fund and the remaining term of the notes. However, none of us, MLPF&S, BofAS 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, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates will purchase your notes at a price that equals or exceeds the initial estimated value of the notes.
The value of the notes shown on your account statement will be based on BofAS’s estimate of the value of the notes if BofAS or another of its affiliates were to make a market in the notes, which it is not obligated to do. That estimate will be based upon the price that BofAS may pay for the notes in light of then-prevailing market conditions, and other considerations, as mentioned above, and will include transaction costs. At certain times, this 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 CIBC 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 financial advisor if you have any questions about the application of these provisions to your specific circumstances or think you are eligible.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-11 |
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Structuring the Notes
The notes are our debt securities, the return on which is linked to the performance of the Underlying Fund. 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. The internal funding rate we use in pricing the market-linked notes is typically lower than the rate we would pay when we issue conventional fixed-rate debt securities of comparable maturity. This difference is based on, among other things, our view of the funding value of the notes as well as the higher issuance, operational and ongoing liability management costs of the notes in comparison to those costs for our conventional fixed-rate debt. This generally relatively lower internal funding rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the notes, along with the fees and charges associated with market-linked notes, typically results in the initial estimated value of the notes on the pricing date being less than their public offering price.
At maturity, we are required to pay the Redemption Amount to holders of the notes, which will be calculated based on the performance of the Underlying Fund and the $10 per unit principal amount. In order to meet these payment obligations, at the time we issue the notes, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with BofAS or one of its affiliates. The terms of these hedging arrangements are determined by seeking bids from market participants, including BofAS and its affiliates, and take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, the volatility of the Underlying Fund , 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.
BofAS has advised us that the hedging arrangements will include a hedging-related charge of approximately $0.05 per unit, reflecting an estimated profit to be credited to BofAS 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 BofAS or any third party hedge providers.
For further information, see “Risk Factors—Valuation- and Market-related Risks” beginning on page PS-7 of product supplement EQUITY ARN-1 and “Use of Proceeds” on page S-14 of prospectus supplement.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-12 |
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Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
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Summary of Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
In the opinion of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, our Canadian tax counsel, the following summary describes the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the regulations thereto (the “Canadian Tax Act”) generally applicable at the date hereof to a purchaser who acquires beneficial ownership of a note pursuant to this term sheet and who for the purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and at all relevant times: (a) is neither resident nor deemed to be resident in Canada; (b) deals at arm’s length with CIBC and any transferee resident (or deemed to be resident) in Canada to whom the purchaser disposes of the note; (c) does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold the note in, or in the course of, carrying on a business in Canada; (d) is entitled to receive all payments (including any interest and principal) made on the note; (e) is not a, and deals at arm’s length with any, “specified shareholder” of CIBC for purposes of the thin capitalization rules in the Canadian Tax Act; and (f) is not an entity in respect of which CIBC or any transferee resident (or deemed to be resident) in Canada to whom the purchaser disposes of, loans or otherwise transfers the note is a “specified entity”, and is not a “specified entity” in respect of such a transferee, in each case, for purposes of the Hybrid Mismatch Rules, as defined below (a “Non-Resident Holder”). Special rules which apply to non-resident insurers carrying on business in Canada and elsewhere are not discussed in this summary.
This summary assumes that no amount paid or payable to a holder described herein will be the deduction component of a “hybrid mismatch arrangement” under which the payment arises within the meaning of the rules in the Canadian Tax Act with respect to “hybrid mismatch arrangements” (the “Hybrid Mismatch Rules”). Investors should note that the Hybrid Mismatch Rules are highly complex and there remains significant uncertainty as to their interpretation and application.
This summary is supplemental to and should be read together with the description of material Canadian federal income tax considerations relevant to a Non-Resident Holder owning notes under “Material Income Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus and a Non-Resident Holder should carefully read that description as well.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular Non-Resident Holder. Non-Resident Holders are advised to consult with their own tax advisors with respect to their particular circumstances.
Based on Canadian tax counsel’s understanding of the Canada Revenue Agency’s administrative policies and having regard to the terms of the notes, interest payable on the notes should not be considered to be “participating debt interest” as defined in the Canadian Tax Act and accordingly, a Non-Resident Holder should not be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax in respect of amounts paid or credited or deemed to have been paid or credited by CIBC on a note as, on account of or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, interest.
Non-Resident Holders should consult their own advisors regarding the consequences to them of a disposition of the notes to a person with whom they are not dealing at arm’s length for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-13 |
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Return Notes® Linked to the iShares® U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF, due August , 2026 |
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Summary of U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following discussion is a brief summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to an investment in the notes. The following summary is not complete and is both qualified and supplemented by, or in some cases supplements, the discussion entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” in product supplement EQUITY ARN-1, which you should carefully review prior to investing in the notes.
The U.S. federal income tax considerations of your investment in the notes are uncertain. No statutory, judicial or administrative authority directly discusses how the notes should be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the opinion of our tax counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat the notes as prepaid cash-settled derivative contracts. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, you agree to treat the notes in this manner for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. If this treatment is respected, subject to the discussion in the product supplement concerning the potential application of the “constructive ownership” rules under Section 1260 of the Code, you should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or payment on maturity in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time and the amount that you paid for your notes. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your notes for more than one year. Non-U.S. holders should consult the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary—Non-U.S. Holders” in product supplement EQUITY ARN-1.
The expected characterization of the notes is not binding on the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or the courts. Thus, it is possible that the IRS would seek to characterize your notes in a manner that results in tax consequences to you that are different from those described above or in the accompanying product supplement. Such alternate treatments could include a requirement that a holder accrue ordinary income over the life of the notes or treat all gain or loss at maturity as ordinary gain or loss. For a more detailed discussion of certain alternative characterizations with respect to your notes and certain other considerations with respect to your investment in the notes, you should consider the discussion set forth in “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary” of the product supplement. We are not responsible for any adverse consequences that you may experience as a result of any alternative characterization of the notes for U.S. federal income tax or other tax purposes.
With respect to the discussion in the product supplement regarding “dividend equivalent” payments, the IRS has issued a notice that provides that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2027.
You should consult your tax advisor as to the tax consequences of such characterization and any possible alternative characterizations of the notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes. You should also consult your tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax and other tax consequences of your investment in the notes in your particular circumstances, including the application of state, local or other tax laws and the possible effects of changes in federal or other tax laws.
Where You Can Find More Information
We have filed a registration statement (including a product supplement, a prospectus supplement, and a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this term sheet relates. Before you invest, you should read the Note Prospectus, including this term sheet, and the other documents that we have filed with the SEC, for more complete information about us and this offering. You may get these documents without cost by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, we, any agent, or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you these documents if you so request by calling MLPF&S or BofAS toll-free at 1-800-294-1322.
“Accelerated Return Notes®” and “ARNs®” are registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent company of MLPF&S and BofAS.
Accelerated Return Notes® | TS-14 |