UNITED STATES TAXATION
The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership of debt securities by “U.S. Holders” (as defined below) as of the date hereof. This section is the opinion of Morrison & Foerster LLP, our special U.S. federal income tax counsel. Except where noted, this summary deals only with debt securities held as capital assets and which are denominated in or determined by reference to the U.S. dollar. This summary does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to holders subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, including, without limitation, dealers in securities or currencies, financial institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt entities, insurance companies, persons holding debt securities as a part of a hedging, integrated, conversion or constructive sale transaction or a straddle, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons liable for alternative minimum tax, partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes or U.S. Holders whose “functional currency” is not the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, the summary below is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and regulations, rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified (possibly with retroactive effect) so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.
The summary below assumes that all debt securities issued pursuant to this prospectus will be classified for U.S. federal income tax purposes as the Bank’s indebtedness, and purchasers should note that in the event of an alternative characterization, the tax consequences would differ from those discussed below. Any special U.S. federal income tax considerations relevant to a particular issue of the debt securities will be provided in the applicable supplement.
As used herein, a “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a debt security that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) an individual citizen or resident of the United States, (ii) a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source or (iv) a trust if it (X) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (Y) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
If a partnership holds debt securities, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partner of a partnership holding debt securities is urged to consult its own tax advisors.
This summary does not represent a detailed description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences to holders in light of their particular circumstances and does not address the effects of any state, local or non-U.S. tax laws. Persons considering the purchase of debt securities should consult their own tax advisors concerning the particular U.S. federal income tax consequences to them of the ownership of the debt securities, as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other taxing jurisdiction.
Payments of Interest
Except as set forth below, stated interest on a debt security will generally be taxable to a U.S. Holder as ordinary income at the time it is paid or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Unless an applicable supplement states otherwise, interest income on a debt security generally will be considered foreign source income and, for purposes of the U.S. foreign tax credit, generally will be considered passive category income.
Original Issue Discount Notes
U.S. Holders of debt securities issued with original issue discount (“OID”), other than Short-Term Notes (as defined below), will be subject to special tax accounting rules, as described in greater detail below. Debt securities issued with OID will be referred to as “Original Issue Discount Notes.” U.S. Holders of such debt securities should be aware that they generally must include OID in gross income in advance of the receipt of cash attributable to that income. However, U.S. Holders of such debt securities generally will not be required to include separately in income cash payments received on the debt securities, even if denominated as interest, to the extent such payments do not constitute “qualified stated interest” (as defined below). Unless otherwise specified in the applicable pricing supplement, OID on a debt security generally will be considered foreign source income and, for purposes of the U.S. foreign tax credit, generally will be considered passive category income.
Additional rules applicable to Original Issue Discount Notes that are treated as variable rate debt instruments are described under “Variable Rate Debt Instruments” below or that are denominated in or determined by reference to a currency or currencies other than the U.S. dollar are described under “Foreign Currency Notes” below.
A debt security with an “issue price” that is less than its “stated redemption price at maturity” (the sum of all payments to be made on the debt security other than “qualified stated interest”) will be issued with OID unless such difference is de minimis (generally, less than 0.25 percent of the stated redemption price at maturity multiplied by the number of complete years to maturity). The “issue price” of each debt security in a particular offering will be the first price at which a substantial amount of that particular offering is sold (other than to an underwriter, broker, placement agent or wholesaler).
The term “qualified stated interest” means stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or in property (other than debt instruments of the issuer) at least annually at a single fixed rate or, subject to certain conditions, a rate based on one or more interest indices. Interest is payable at a single fixed rate only if the rate appropriately takes into account the length of the interval between payments.
In the case of a debt security issued with de minimis OID, the U.S. Holder generally must include such de minimis OID in income as stated principal payments on the debt securities are made in proportion to the stated principal amount of the debt security unless the holder makes an election to treat all interest as OID as further described below. Any amount of de minimis OID that has been included in income shall be treated as capital gain.
Certain of the debt securities may be redeemed prior to their stated maturity date (as specified in the applicable supplement) at the option of the Bank and/or at the option of the holder. Original Issue Discount Notes containing such features may be subject to rules that differ from the general rules discussed herein. Persons considering the purchase of Original Issue Discount Notes with such features should carefully examine the applicable supplement and should consult their own tax advisors with respect to such features since the tax consequences with respect to OID will depend, in part, on the particular terms and features of the debt securities.
U.S. Holders of Original Issue Discount Notes with a maturity upon issuance of more than one year must, in general, include OID in income in advance of the receipt of some or all of the related cash payments, regardless of such U.S. Holders’ method of accounting. The amount of OID that a U.S. Holder must include in income is calculated using a constant-yield method, and generally a holder will include increasingly greater amounts of OID in income over the life of the Original Issue Discount Note. Specifically, the amount of OID includible in income by the initial U.S. Holder of an Original Issue Discount Note is the sum of the “daily portions” of OID with respect to the debt security for each day during the taxable year or portion of the taxable year in which such U.S. Holder held such debt security (“accrued OID”). The daily portion is determined by allocating to each day in any “accrual period” a pro rata portion of the OID allocable to that accrual period. The “accrual period” for an Original Issue Discount Note may be of any length and may vary in length over the term of the debt security, provided that each accrual period is no longer than one year and each scheduled payment of principal or interest occurs on the first day or the final day of an accrual period. The amount of OID allocable to any accrual period other than the final accrual period is an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the product of the debt security’s adjusted issue price at the beginning of such accrual period and its yield to maturity (determined on the basis of compounding at the close of each accrual period and properly adjusted for the length of the accrual period) over (b) the aggregate of all qualified stated interest allocable to the accrual period. OID allocable to a final accrual period is the difference between the amount payable at maturity (other than a payment of qualified stated interest) and the adjusted issue price at the beginning of the final accrual period. Special rules will apply for calculating OID for an initial short accrual period. The “adjusted issue price” of an Original Issue Discount Note at the beginning of any accrual period is equal to its issue price increased by the accrued OID for each prior accrual period (determined without regard to the amortization of any acquisition or bond premium, as described below) and reduced by any payments previously made on such debt security (other than qualified stated interest). The Bank is required to provide information returns stating the amount of OID accrued on Original Issue Discount Notes held by persons of record other than certain exempt holders.
Floating rate debt securities are subject to special OID rules as described under “Variable Rate Debt Instruments” below.
In addition, the discussion above generally does not address debt securities providing for contingent payments or debt securities that may be convertible or exchangeable for stock or other securities (or the cash value thereof). U.S. Holders should carefully examine the applicable supplement and should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the holding and disposition of any such debt securities.
U.S. Holders may elect to treat all interest on any debt security as OID and calculate the amount includible in gross income under the constant yield method described above. For purposes of this election, interest includes stated interest, acquisition discount, OID, de minimis OID, market discount, de minimis market discount and unstated interest, as adjusted by any amortizable bond premium or acquisition premium. U.S. Holders should consult with their own tax advisors about this election.
Variable Rate Debt Instruments
A debt security will generally be a variable rate debt instrument if: (i) the issue price does not exceed the total noncontingent principal payments by more than the lesser of: (a) 0.015 multiplied by the product of the total noncontingent principal payments and the number of complete years to maturity from the issue date, or (b) 15 percent of the total noncontingent principal payments, and (ii)the debt security provides for stated interest, compounded or paid at least annually, only at: (a) one or more qualified floating rates, (b) a single fixed rate and one or more qualified floating rates, (c) a single objective rate, or (d) a single fixed rate and a single objective rate that is a qualified inverse floating rate.
A debt security will have a variable rate that is a qualified floating rate if: (i) variations in the value of the rate can reasonably be expected to measure contemporaneous variations in the cost of newly borrowed funds in the currency in which the debt security is denominated, or (ii) the rate is equal to such a rate multiplied by either: (a) a fixed multiple that is greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35, or (b) a fixed multiple greater than 0.65 but not more than 1.35, increased or decreased by a fixed rate, and (iii) the value of the rate on any date during the term of the debt security is set no earlier than three months prior to the first day on which that value is in effect and no later than one year following that first day.
If a debt security provides for two or more qualified floating rates that are within 0.25 percentage points of each other on the issue date or can reasonably be expected to have approximately the same values throughout the term of the debt security, the qualified floating rates together constitute a single qualified floating rate.
A debt security will not have a qualified floating rate, however, if the rate is subject to certain restrictions (including caps, floors, governors, or other similar restrictions) unless, in general, such restrictions are fixed throughout the term of the debt security or are not reasonably expected to significantly affect the yield on the debt security.
A debt security will have a variable rate that is a single objective rate if: (i) the rate is not a qualified floating rate, (ii) the rate is determined using a single, fixed formula that is based on objective financial or economic information that is not within the control of or unique to the circumstances of the issuer or a related party, and (iii) the value of the rate on any date during the term of the debt security is set no earlier than three months prior to the first day on which that value is in effect and no later than one year following that first day.
A debt security will not have a variable rate that is an objective rate, however, if it is reasonably expected that the average value of the rate during the first half of the debt security’s term will be either significantly less than or significantly greater than the average value of the rate during the final half of the debt security’s term.
An objective rate as described above is a qualified inverse floating rate if: (i) the rate is equal to a fixed rate minus a qualified floating rate, and (ii) the variations in the rate can reasonably be expected to inversely reflect contemporaneous variations in the qualified floating rate.
A debt security will also have a single qualified floating rate or an objective rate if interest on the debt security is stated at a fixed rate for an initial period of one year or less followed by either a qualified floating rate or an objective rate for a subsequent period, and either: (i) the fixed rate and the qualified floating rate or objective rate have values on the issue date of the debt security that do not differ by more than 0.25 percentage points, or (ii) the value of the qualified floating rate or objective rate on the issue date or the debt security is intended to approximate the fixed rate (a “single fixed rate for an initial period”).
In general, if a debt security provides for stated interest at a single qualified floating rate or objective rate, or one of those rates after a single fixed rate for an initial period, all stated interest on the debt security is qualified stated interest. In this case, the amount of OID, if any, is determined by using, in the case of a qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, the value as of the issue date of the qualified floating rate or qualified inverse floating rate, or, for any other objective rate, a fixed rate that reflects the yield reasonably expected for the debt security.
If a debt security does not provide for stated interest at a single qualified floating rate or a single objective rate, and also does not provide for interest payable at a fixed rate other than a single fixed rate for an initial period, a U.S. Holder generally must determine the interest and OID accruals on the debt security by: (i) determining a fixed rate substitute for each variable rate provided under the variable rate debt instrument, (ii) constructing the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument, using the fixed rate substitute described above, (iii) determining the amount of qualified stated interest and OID with respect to the equivalent fixed rate debt instrument, and (iv) adjusting for actual variable rates during the applicable accrual period.
In determining the fixed rate substitute for each variable rate provided under the variable rate debt instrument, U.S. Holder will use the value of each variable rate as of the issue date or, for an objective rate that is not a qualified inverse floating rate, a rate that reflects the reasonably expected yield on the debt security.
If a debt security provides for stated interest either at one or more qualified floating rates or at a qualified inverse floating rate and also provides for stated interest at a single fixed rate other than at a single fixed rate for an initial period, a U.S. Holder generally must determine interest and OID accruals by using the method described in the second preceding paragraph. However, a debt security will be treated, for purposes of the first three steps of the determination, as if the debt security had provided for a qualified floating rate, or a qualified inverse floating rate, rather than the fixed rate. The qualified floating rate, or qualified inverse floating rate, that replaces the fixed rate must be such that the fair market value of the debt security as of the issue date approximates the fair market value of an otherwise identical debt instrument that provides for the qualified floating rate, or qualified inverse floating rate, rather than the fixed rate.
Short-Term Notes
In the case of debt securities having a term of one year or less (“Short-Term Notes”), all payments (including all stated interest) will be included in the stated redemption price at maturity and will not be qualified stated interest. Thus, U.S. Holders will generally be taxable on the discount in lieu of stated interest. The discount will be equal to the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity over the issue price of a Short-Term Note, unless the U.S. Holder elects to compute this discount using tax basis instead of issue price. In general, individuals and certain other cash method U.S. Holders of a Short-Term Note are not required to include accrued discount in their income currently unless they elect to do so (but may be required to include any stated interest in income as it is received). U.S. Holders that report income for U.S. federal income tax purposes on the accrual method and certain other U.S. Holders are required to accrue discount on such Short-Term Notes (as ordinary income) on a straight-line basis, unless an election is made to accrue the discount according to a constant yield method based on daily compounding. In the case of a U.S. Holder that is not required, and does not elect, to include discount in income currently, any gain realized on the sale, exchange or retirement of Short-Term Notes will generally be ordinary income to the extent of the discount accrued through the date of sale, exchange or retirement. In addition, a U.S. Holder that does not elect to include currently accrued discount in income may be required to defer deductions for a portion of the U.S. Holder’s interest expense with respect to any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such Short-Term Notes.
Market Discount
If a U.S. Holder purchases a debt security, other than a Short-Term Note, for an amount that is less than its stated redemption price at maturity or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Note, its adjusted issue price, the amount of the difference will generally be treated as “market discount” for U.S. federal income tax purposes, unless such difference is less than a specified de minimis amount. Under the market discount rules, a U.S. Holder will be required to treat any principal payment on, or any gain on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of, a debt security as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount which has not previously been included in income and is treated as having accrued on such debt security at the time of such payment or disposition. In addition, the U.S. Holder may be required to defer, until the maturity of the debt security or its earlier disposition in a taxable transaction, the deduction of all or a portion of the interest expense on any indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry such debt security (in an amount not exceeding the accrued market discount).
Any market discount will be considered to accrue ratably during the period from the date of acquisition to the maturity date of the debt security, unless the U.S. Holder elects to accrue on a constant yield method. A U.S. Holder of a debt security may elect to include market discount in income currently as it accrues (on either a ratable or constant yield method), in which case the rule described above regarding deferral of interest deductions will not apply.
Acquisition Premium; Amortizable Bond Premium
A U.S. Holder that purchases an Original Issue Discount Note for an amount that is greater than its adjusted issue price but equal to or less than the sum of all amounts payable on the debt security after the purchase date other than payments of qualified stated interest will be considered to have purchased such debt security at an “acquisition premium.” Under the acquisition premium rules, the amount of OID which such U.S. Holder must include in its gross income with respect to such debt security for any taxable year will be reduced by the portion of such acquisition premium properly allocable to such year.
A U.S. Holder that purchases a debt security for an amount in excess of the sum of all amounts payable on the debt security after the purchase date other than qualified stated interest will be considered to have purchased the debt security at a “premium” and will not be required to include OID, if any, in income. A U.S. Holder generally may elect to amortize the premium over the remaining term of the debt security on a constant yield method as an offset to interest when includible in income under the U.S. Holder’s regular accounting method. Bond premium on a debt security held by a U.S. Holder that does not make such an election will decrease the gain or increase the loss otherwise recognized on disposition of the debt security.
Sale, Exchange, Retirement or Other Disposition of Debt Securities
Upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a debt security, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition (less an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid qualified stated interest, which will be treated as a payment of interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and the adjusted tax basis of the debt security. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a debt security will, in general, be the U.S. Holder’s cost for the debt security, increased by any OID, market discount or, in the case of Short-Term Notes, discount previously included in income by the U.S. Holder, and reduced by any amortized premium and any cash payments on the debt security other than qualified stated interest. Except (i) as described above with respect to certain Short-Term Notes and market discount, (ii) with respect to gain or loss attributable to changes in exchange rates, as discussed below with respect to certain Foreign Currency Notes (as defined below), and (iii) with respect to debt securities treated as contingent payment debt instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes (which this summary generally does not discuss), such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. Capital gains of individuals derived in respect of capital assets held for more than one year are eligible for preferential rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a debt security generally will be considered U.S. source gain or loss.
Foreign Currency Notes
The following is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder of the ownership of a debt security denominated in, or for which payments are determined by reference to, a currency other than the U.S. dollar (a “Foreign Currency Note”).
Interest Payments
U.S. Holders that use the cash basis method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes are required to include in income the U.S. dollar value of the amount of interest received, based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. No exchange gain or loss (as discussed below) is recognized with respect to the receipt of such payment.
U.S. Holders that use the accrual basis method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes may determine the amount of income recognized with respect to an interest payment in accordance with either of two methods. Under the first method, the U.S. Holder will be required to include in income for each taxable year the U.S. dollar value of the interest that has accrued during such year, determined by translating such interest at the average rate of exchange for the period or periods during which such interest accrued. Under the second method, the U.S. Holder may elect to translate interest income at the spot rate on the last day of the accrual period (or last day of the taxable year in the case of an accrual period that straddles the U.S. Holder’s taxable year) or on the date the interest payment is received if such date is within five business days of the end of the accrual period. Upon receipt of an interest payment on a debt security (including, upon the sale of such debt security, the receipt of proceeds attributable to accrued interest previously included in income), an accrual basis U.S. Holder will recognize ordinary income or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of such payment (determined by translating any foreign currency received at the spot rate for such foreign currency on the date received) and the U.S. dollar value of the interest income that such U.S. Holder has previously included in income with respect to such payment.
Original Issue Discount Notes
OID on an Original Issue Discount Note that is also a Foreign Currency Note will be determined for any accrual period in the applicable foreign currency and then translated into U.S. dollars in the same manner as interest income accrued by a holder on the accrual basis, as described above. Upon receipt of OID on such debt security (including, upon the sale of such debt security, the receipt of proceeds attributable to OID previously included in income), a U.S. Holder will recognize ordinary income or loss in an amount determined in the same manner as interest income received by a holder on the accrual basis, as described above.
Market Discount
The amount of market discount on Foreign Currency Notes includible in income will generally be determined by translating the market discount determined in the foreign currency into U.S. dollars at the spot rate on the date the Foreign Currency Note is retired or otherwise disposed of. If the U.S. Holder has elected to accrue market discount currently, then the amount which accrues is determined in the foreign currency and then translated into U.S. dollars on the basis of the average exchange rate in effect during such accrual period. A U.S. Holder will recognize exchange gain or loss with respect to market discount which is accrued currently using the approach applicable to the accrual of interest income as described above.
Amortizable Bond Premium
Bond premium on a Foreign Currency Note will be computed in the applicable foreign currency. With respect to a U.S. Holder that elects to amortize the premium, the amortizable bond premium will reduce interest income in the applicable foreign currency. At the time bond premium is amortized, exchange gain or loss (which is generally ordinary income or loss) will be realized based on the difference between spot rates at such time and at the time of acquisition of the Foreign Currency Note. A U.S. Holder that does not elect to amortize bond premium will translate the bond premium, computed in the applicable foreign currency, into U.S. dollars at the spot rate on the maturity date and such bond premium will constitute a capital loss which may be offset or eliminated by exchange gain.
Sale, Exchange, Retirement or Other Disposition of Foreign Currency Notes
Upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a Foreign Currency Note, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition (less an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid qualified stated interest, which will be treated as a payment of interest for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the Foreign Currency Note. Except as described above with respect to certain Short-Term Notes or with respect to market discount, and subject to the foreign currency rules discussed below, such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if at the time of sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition, the Foreign Currency Note has been held for more than one year. Capital gains of individuals derived with respect to capital assets held for more than one year are eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations. Gain or loss realized by a U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a Foreign Currency Note generally will be considered U.S. source gain or loss.
A U.S. Holder’s initial tax basis in a Foreign Currency Note generally will be the U.S. Holder’s cost therefor. If a U.S. Holder purchased a Foreign Currency Note with foreign currency, the U.S. Holder’s cost will be the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency amount paid for such Foreign Currency Note determined at the time of such purchase. If a U.S. Holder’s Foreign Currency Note is sold, exchanged, retired or otherwise disposed of for an amount denominated in foreign currency, then the U.S. Holder’s amount realized generally will be based on the spot rate of the foreign currency on the date of the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition. If the Foreign Currency Notes are traded on an established securities market and the U.S. Holder is a cash method taxpayer, however, foreign currency paid or received is translated into U.S. dollars at the spot rate on the settlement date of the purchase or sale. An accrual method taxpayer may elect the same treatment with respect to the purchase and sale of Foreign Currency Notes traded on an established securities market, provided that the election is applied consistently.
Upon the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of a Foreign Currency Note, a U.S. Holder may recognize exchange gain or loss with respect to the principal amount of such Foreign Currency Note. For these purposes, the principal amount of the Foreign Currency Note is the U.S. Holder’s purchase price for the Foreign Currency Note calculated in the foreign currency on the date of purchase, and the amount of exchange gain or loss realized is equal to the difference between (i) the U.S. dollar value of the principal amount determined on the date of the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of the Foreign Currency Note and (ii) the U.S. dollar value of the principal amount determined on the date such U.S. Holder purchased the debt security. Such gain or loss will be treated as ordinary income or loss and generally will be U.S. source gain or loss. The recognition of such gain or loss will be limited to the amount of overall gain or loss realized on the disposition of a Foreign Currency Note.
Exchange Gain or Loss with Respect to Foreign Currency
A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the foreign currency received as interest on a Foreign Currency Note will be the U.S. dollar value thereof at the spot rate in effect on the date the foreign currency is received. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in foreign currency received on the sale, exchange or retirement of a Foreign Currency Note will be equal to the U.S. dollar value of the foreign currency, determined at the time of the sale, exchange or retirement, or, if the Foreign Currency Notes are traded on an established securities market, the spot rate of exchange on the settlement date, in the case of a cash basis U.S. Holder or an electing accrual basis U.S. Holder as described above.
Any gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale, exchange or other disposition of the foreign currency will be ordinary income or loss and generally will be U.S. source gain or loss.
Disclosure Requirements
Treasury Regulations meant to require the reporting of certain tax shelter transactions (“Reportable Transactions”) could be interpreted to cover transactions generally not regarded as tax shelters, including certain foreign currency transactions. Under the Treasury Regulations, certain transactions may be characterized as Reportable Transactions including, in certain circumstances, a sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a Foreign Currency Note or foreign currency received in respect of a Foreign Currency Note to the extent that such sale, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition results in a tax loss in excess of a threshold amount. Persons considering the purchase of Foreign Currency Notes should consult with their own tax advisors to determine the tax return disclosure obligations, if any, with respect to an investment in a Foreign Currency Note, including any requirement to file Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Form 8886 (Reportable Transaction Disclosure Statement).
Additional Medicare Tax on Unearned Income
Certain U.S. Holders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on unearned income. For individual U.S. Holders, the additional Medicare tax applies to the lesser of (i) “net investment income,” or (ii) the excess of “modified adjusted gross income” over US$200,000 (US$250,000 if married and filing jointly or US$125,000 if married and filing separately). “Net investment income” generally equals the taxpayer’s gross investment income reduced by the deductions that are allocable to such income. Investment income generally includes passive income such as interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, rents, and capital gains. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the debt securities.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, information reporting requirements will apply to payments of principal, interest, OID and premium paid on debt securities and to the proceeds of sale of a debt security paid to U.S. Holders other than certain exempt recipients. A backup withholding tax may apply to such payments if the U.S. Holder fails to provide a taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status or fails to report in full dividend and interest income.
Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or credit against such U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Individual U.S. Holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” may be required to include certain information with respect to such assets with their U.S. federal income tax return. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding such requirements with respect to the debt securities.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act, which was enacted in early 2010 and contains provisions from the former Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act of 2009 (“FATCA”), encourages foreign financial institutions to report information about their U.S. account holders (including holders of certain equity or debt interests) to the IRS. Foreign financial institutions that fail to comply with the withholding and reporting requirements of FATCA and certain account holders that do not provide sufficient information under the requirements of FATCA will be subject to a 30% withholding tax on certain payments they receive, including foreign passthru payments (which may include payments made by the Bank with respect to the debt securities). Withholding on foreign passthru payments will not be required with respect to payments made before January 1, 2017. The term “foreign passthru payment” is not currently defined in Treasury Regulations. Debt securities outstanding on July 1, 2014 are exempt from FATCA withholding tax under a grandfathering provision. In addition, obligations that give rise to foreign passthru payments are grandfathered if the obligation is executed on or before the date that is six months after the date on which final regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are adopted.
As discussed above, since the term “foreign passthru payment” is not defined in Treasury Regulations, the future application of FATCA withholding tax on foreign passthru payments to holders of debt securities is uncertain. If a holder of debt securities is subject to withholding there will be no additional amounts payable by way of compensation to the holder of debt securities for the deducted amount. Holders of debt securities should consult their own tax advisors regarding this legislation in light of such holder’s particular situation.
CANADIAN TAXATION
The following is, as of the date hereof, a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Canadian Tax Act”) and Income Tax Regulations issued thereunder (the “Canadian Tax Regulations”) generally applicable to a holder who acquires beneficial ownership of a debt security upon the initial issuance of the debt security by the Bank pursuant to this prospectus, and who, for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act and any applicable income tax convention, at all relevant times, is not resident and is not deemed to be resident in Canada, and who, for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act, at all relevant times, (i) deals at arm’s length with the Bank and any Canadian resident (or deemed Canadian resident) to whom the holder disposes of the debt security, (ii) is entitled to receive all payments (including any interest and principal) made on the debt security, (iii) is not, and deals at arm’s length with each person who is, a “specified shareholder” of the Bank for purposes of the thin capitalization rules in the Canadian Tax Act, (iv) holds the debt security as capital property, (v) does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold the debt security in or in the course of carrying on a business in Canada and (vi) is not an insurer carrying on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere (a “Non-resident Holder”).
This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Canadian Tax Act and the Canadian Tax Regulations in force as of the date hereof, all specific proposals to amend the Canadian Tax Act and the Canadian Tax Regulations publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Tax Proposals”) and counsel’s understanding of the current administrative policies and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”) published in writing by the CRA prior to the date hereof. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible Canadian federal income tax considerations relevant to an investment in debt securities and, except for the Tax Proposals, does not take into account or anticipate any changes in law or CRA administrative policies or assessing practices, whether by way of legislative, governmental or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into account or consider any other federal tax considerations or any provincial, territorial or foreign tax considerations, which may differ materially from those discussed herein. While this summary assumes that the Tax Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed, no assurance can be given that this will be the case, and no assurance can be given that judicial, legislative or administrative changes will not modify or change the statements below.
The following is only a general summary of certain Canadian non-resident withholding and other tax provisions which may affect a Non-resident Holder of the debt securities described in this prospectus. This summary is not, and is not intended to be, and should not be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular Non-resident Holder and no representation with respect to the income tax consequences to any particular Non-resident Holder is made. Persons considering investing in debt securities should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences of acquiring, holding and disposing of debt securities having regard to their own particular circumstances.
Material Canadian federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities may be described particularly in the supplement related thereto, when such debt securities are offered. In the event the material Canadian federal income tax considerations are described in the applicable supplement, the following description will be superseded by the description in such supplement to the extent indicated therein.
Interest (including amounts on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, interest) paid or credited, or deemed to be paid or credited on a debt security to a Non-resident Holder will not be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax unless all or any part of such interest is participating debt interest. “Participating debt interest” is defined generally as interest (other than on a “prescribed obligation” described below) all or any portion of which is contingent or dependent on the use of or production from property in Canada or is computed by reference to revenue, profit, cash flow, commodity price or any other similar criterion or by reference to dividends paid or payable to shareholders of any class or series of shares of a corporation. A “prescribed obligation” for this purpose is an “indexed debt obligation,” as defined in the Canadian Tax Act, in respect of which no amount payable is: (a) contingent or dependent upon the use of, or production from, property in Canada, or (b) computed by reference to: (i) revenue, profit, cash flow, commodity price or any other similar criterion, other than a change in the purchasing power of money, or (ii) dividends paid or payable to shareholders of any class or series of shares of the capital stock of a corporation. An “indexed debt obligation” is a debt obligation the terms or conditions of which provide for an adjustment to an amount payable in respect of the obligation for a period during which the obligation was outstanding that is determined by reference to a change in the purchasing power of money.
In the event that a debt security is redeemed, cancelled, purchased or repurchased by the Bank or any other person resident or deemed to be resident in Canada from a Non-resident Holder or is otherwise assigned or transferred by a Non-resident Holder to a person resident or deemed to be resident in Canada for an amount which exceeds, generally, the issue price thereof, the excess may, in certain circumstances be deemed to be interest and may, together with any interest that has accrued or is deemed to have accrued on the debt security to that time, be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax if all or any part of such interest is participating debt interest. Notwithstanding the previous sentence, such excess will not be subject to Canadian non-resident withholding tax where the debt security is not an indexed debt obligation (described above) and was issued for an amount not less than 97% of its principal amount (as defined in the Canadian Tax Act), and the yield from the debt security, expressed in terms of an annual rate (determined in accordance with the Canadian Tax Act) on the amount for which the debt security was issued, does not exceed 4/3 of the interest stipulated to be payable on the debt security, expressed in terms of an annual rate on the outstanding principal amount from time to time.
If applicable, the normal rate of Canadian non-resident withholding tax is 25% but such rate may be reduced under the terms of an applicable income tax treaty.
Generally, there are no other Canadian taxes on income (including taxable capital gains) payable by a Non-resident Holder under the Canadian Tax Act solely as a consequence of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of debt securities.
A fiduciary of a pension, profit-sharing or other employee benefit plan (each, an “employee benefit plan”) subject to Title I of the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), should consider the fiduciary standards of ERISA in the context of the employee benefit plan’s particular circumstances before authorizing an investment in any debt securities. Among other factors, the fiduciary should consider whether the investment would satisfy the prudence and diversification requirements of ERISA and would be consistent with the documents and instruments governing the employee benefit plan, and whether the investment would involve a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit (i) employee benefit plans which are subject to Title I of ERISA, (ii) “plans” defined in Section 4975 of the Code (including individual retirement accounts and “Keogh”)) which are subject to Section 4975 of the Code and (iii) entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of any employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA or plan subject to Section 4975 of the Code (each of the foregoing described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) referred to herein as an “ERISA plan”), from engaging in certain transactions involving “plan assets” with persons who are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Code (“parties in interest”) with respect to the ERISA plan. A violation of these prohibited transaction rules may result in civil penalties or other liabilities under ERISA and/or an excise tax under Section 4975 of the Code for those persons, unless exemptive relief is available under an applicable statutory, regulatory or administrative exemption. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA plan that engaged in such a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to penalties and liabilities under ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code.
The acquisition, holding or, if applicable, exchange, of debt securities by an ERISA plan with respect to which we or certain of our affiliates is or becomes a party in interest may constitute or result in a prohibited transaction under ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the debt security is acquired and held pursuant to and in accordance with an applicable exemption. In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or “PTCEs,” that may provide exemptive relief if required for direct or indirect prohibited transactions that may arise from the purchase or holding of a debt security. These exemptions include, without limitation:
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PTCE 84-14, an exemption for certain transactions determined or effected by independent qualified professional asset managers;
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PTCE 90-1, an exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts;
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PTCE 91-38, an exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds;
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PTCE 95-60, an exemption for transactions involving certain insurance company general accounts; and
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PTCE 96-23, an exemption for plan asset transactions managed by in-house asset managers.
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In addition, Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code provide statutory exemptive relief for certain arm’s length transactions with a person that is a party in interest solely by reason of providing services to ERISA plans or being an affiliate of such a service provider. Under these provisions, the purchase and sale of a debt security should not constitute a prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, provided that neither the issuer of the debt security nor any of its affiliates have or exercise any discretionary authority or control or render any investment advice with respect to the assets of any ERISA plan involved in the transaction, and provided further that the ERISA plan pays no more and receives no less than “adequate consideration” in connection with the transaction. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such exemptions will be satisfied, and debt securities should not be purchased or held by any person investing “plan assets” of any ERISA plan unless such purchase and holding will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA and the Code.
Certain employee benefit plans and arrangements including those that are governmental plans (as defined in section 3(32) of ERISA), certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) and foreign plans (as described in Section 4(b)(4) of ERISA) (collectively referred to herein as “non-ERISA arrangements”) are not subject to the fiduciary responsibility or prohibited transaction provisions of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code but may be subject to similar provisions under other applicable federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other regulations, rules or laws (collectively, “similar laws”).
Accordingly, by acceptance of a debt security or any interest therein, each purchaser and holder of debt securities or any interest therein will be deemed to have represented by its purchase and holding of the debt securities that either (1) it is not an ERISA plan and is not purchasing any debt securities or interest therein on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any ERISA plan or (2) the purchase and holding of the debt securities or any interest therein will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code. In addition, any purchaser or holder of debt securities or any interest therein which is a non-ERISA arrangement will be deemed to have represented by its purchase or holding of the debt securities that its purchase and holding will not violate any applicable similar law.
Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed upon persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons considering purchasing debt securities on behalf of or with “plan assets” of any ERISA plan or non-ERISA arrangement consult with their counsel regarding the availability of exemptive relief under any of the PTCEs listed above or some other basis on which such purchase and holding is not prohibited, or the potential consequences of any purchase, holding or exchange under similar laws, as applicable.
Each purchaser and holder of debt securities has exclusive responsibility for ensuring that its purchase and holding of the debt securities does not violate the fiduciary or prohibited transaction rules of Title I of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code or any applicable similar laws. The sale of any debt securities to any ERISA plan or non-ERISA arrangement is in no respect a representation by us or any of our affiliates or representatives that such an investment meets all relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by plans generally or any particular plan, or that such an investment is appropriate for plans generally or any particular plan.
We may sell any series of debt securities at any time after effectiveness of the Registration Statement of which this prospectus forms a part in one or more of the following ways from time to time:
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through underwriters or dealers;
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directly to one or more purchasers.
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The offered debt securities may be distributed periodically in one or more transactions at:
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a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;
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market prices prevailing at the time of sale;
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prices related to the prevailing market prices; or
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The prospectus supplement will include:
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the initial public offering price;
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the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;
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the purchase price of the debt securities;
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our proceeds from the sale of the debt securities;
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any underwriting discounts or agency fees and other underwriters’ or agents’ compensation;
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any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers;
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the place and time of delivery of the debt securities; and
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any securities exchange on which the debt securities may be listed.
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If underwriters are used in the sale, they will buy the debt securities for their own account. The underwriters may then resell the debt securities in one or more transactions, at any time or times at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices. The underwriters may change from time to time any fixed public offering price and any discounts or commissions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers. If dealers are utilized in the sale of the debt securities, we will sell the debt securities to the dealers as principals. The dealers may then resell the debt securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealers.
In connection with the offering of debt securities, we may grant to the underwriters an option to purchase additional debt securities to cover over-allotments, if any, at the initial public offering price (with an additional underwriting commission), as may be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such debt securities. If we grant any over-allotment option, the terms of the option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for the debt securities.
This prospectus may be delivered by underwriters and dealers in connection with short sales undertaken to hedge exposures under commitments to acquire our debt securities to be issued on a delayed or contingent basis.
Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the debt securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act. Any discounts or commissions that we pay them and any profit they receive when they resell the debt securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under that Act. We may have agreements with underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, to contribute with respect to payments which they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities and to reimburse them for certain expenses.
Each series of offered debt securities will be a new issue of debt securities and will have no established trading market. Debt securities may or may not be listed on a national or foreign securities exchange or automated quotation system. Any underwriters or agents to whom debt securities are sold for public offering or sale may make, but are not required to make, a market in the debt securities, and the underwriters or agents may discontinue making a market in the debt securities at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity or the existence of trading markets for any debt securities.
Any underwriters utilized may engage in stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions in accordance with Rule 104 of Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the offered debt securities or any underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of debt securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Such stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the offered debt securities to be higher than would be the case in the absence of such transactions.
Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in three business days, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. The prospectus supplement or pricing supplement may provide that the original issue date for a series of debt securities may be more than three scheduled business days after the trade date for the securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade the debt securities on any date prior to the third business day before the original issue date for the debt securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that the debt securities initially are expected to settle in more than three scheduled business days after the trade date for the securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
Market-Making Resales By the Bank and its Affiliates
This prospectus may be used by the Bank, TD Securities (USA) LLC or certain other of the Bank’s affiliates (the “Market Makers”) in connection with offers and sales of the debt securities in market-making transactions. A Market-Maker may engage in market-making transactions only in those jurisdictions in which it has all necessary governmental and regulatory authorizations for such activity. In a market-making transaction, a Market Maker may resell a debt security it acquires from other holders, after the original offering and sale of the debt security. Resales of this kind may occur in the open market or may be privately negotiated, at prevailing market prices at the time of resale or at related or negotiated prices. In these transactions, a Market Maker may act as principal or agent, including as agent for the counterparty in a transaction in which the Market Maker acts as principal, or as agent for both counterparties in a transaction in which the Market Maker does not act as principal. The Market Makers may receive compensation in the form of mark-ups or mark-downs, including from both counterparties in some cases.
The debt securities to be sold in market-making transactions include debt securities to be issued after the date of this prospectus, as well as debt securities previously issued.
The Bank does not expect to receive any proceeds from market-making transactions except to the extent the Bank is entitled to the proceeds of sales of debt securities made by it in such transactions. The Bank does not expect that the Market Makers will pay any proceeds from their market-making resales to it.
Information about the trade and settlement dates, as well as the purchase price, for a market-making transaction will be provided to the purchaser in a separate confirmation of sale.
Unless we or an agent informs you in your confirmation of sale that your debt securities are being purchased in their original offering and sale, you may assume that you are purchasing your debt securities in a market-making transaction.
Any offering of debt securities in which TD Securities (USA) LLC, our affiliate, participates as an underwriter, dealer or agent, will be conducted in compliance with the applicable requirements of Rule 5121 of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
We are a Canadian chartered bank. Many of our directors and executive officers, including many of the persons who signed the Registration Statement on Form F-3, of which this prospectus is a part, and some of the experts named in this document, reside outside the United States, and a substantial portion of our assets and all or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons are located outside the United States. As a result, it may be difficult for you to effect service of process within the United States upon such persons to enforce against them judgments of the courts of the United States predicated upon, among other things, the civil liability provisions of the federal securities laws of the United States. In addition, it may be difficult for you to enforce, in original actions brought in courts in jurisdictions located outside the United States, among other things, civil liabilities predicated upon such securities laws.
We have been advised by our Canadian counsel, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, that a judgment of a United States court may be enforceable in Canada if: (a) there is a real and substantial connection between the events, persons and circumstances and the United States proceedings such that the United States court properly assumed jurisdiction; (b) the United States judgment is final and conclusive; (c) the defendant was properly served with originating process from the United States court; and (d) the United States law that led to the judgment is not contrary to Canadian public policy, as that term would be applied by a Canadian court. We are advised that in normal circumstances, only civil judgments and not other rights arising from United States securities legislation (for example, penal or similar awards made by a court in a regulatory prosecution or proceeding) are enforceable in Canada. The enforceability of a United States judgment in Canada will be subject to the requirements that: (i) an action to enforce the United States judgment must be commenced in the Ontario Court within any applicable limitation period; (ii) the Ontario Court has discretion to stay or decline to hear an action on the United States judgment if the United States judgment is under appeal or there is another subsisting judgment in any jurisdiction relating to the same cause of action; (iii) the Ontario Court will render judgment only in Canadian dollars; and (iv) an action in the Ontario Court on the United States judgment may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws of general application limiting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally. The enforceability of a United States judgment in Canada will be subject to the following defenses: (i) the United States judgment was obtained by fraud or in a manner contrary to the principles of natural justice; (ii) the United States judgment is for a claim which under Ontario law would be characterized as based on a foreign revenue, expropriatory, penal or other public law; (iii) the United States judgment is contrary to Ontario public policy or to an order made by the Attorney General of Canada under the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (Canada) or by the Competition Tribunal under the Competition Act (Canada) in respect of certain judgments referred to in these statutes; and (iv) the United States judgment has been satisfied or is void or voidable under United States law.
The validity of the debt securities will be passed upon by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York, as to matters of New York law, and by McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Toronto, Ontario, as to matters of Canadian law and applicable matters of Ontario law. The validity of certain of the debt securities will be passed upon by Morrison & Foerster LLP, New York, New York, special products counsel to the Bank, as to matters of New York law. Certain U.S. federal income tax matters will be passed upon for us by Morrison & Foerster LLP, New York, New York, special U.S. federal income tax counsel to the Bank. Morrison & Foerster LLP, New York, New York will issue an opinion as to certain legal matters for the agents or underwriters.
The consolidated financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the 2013 Annual Report and the effectiveness of the Bank’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Chartered Accountants, as stated in their reports which express an unqualified opinion and which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
The estimated expenses in connection with the offerings hereunder, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, are as follows (in U.S. dollars):
Registration Statement filing fee
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$ |
257,600 |
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Trustees’ fees and expenses
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$ |
100,000 |
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Legal fees and expenses
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$ |
225,000 |
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Accounting fees and expenses
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$ |
210,000 |
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Printing costs
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$ |
200,000 |
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Miscellaneous
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$ |
207,400 |
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Total
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$ |
1,200,000 |
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31