Yield Magnet Notes: Risk Considerations
Investors should carefully consider the risks of the Yield Magnet
Notes and whether the notes are suited to their particular circumstances
before deciding to purchase them. It is important that prior to
investing in any notes that investors read the prospectus related
to such notes to understand the actual terms of and the risks
associated with the notes. In addition, we urge investors to consult
with their investment, legal, accounting, tax and other advisors
with respect to any investment in the notes.
Credit Risk
The notes are issued by ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and guaranteed
by ABN AMRO Holding N.V., ABN AMRO’s parent. As a result,
investors assume the credit risk of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and that
of ABN AMRO Holding N.V. in the event that ABN AMRO defaults
on its obligations under the notes. Any obligations or securities
sold, offered, or recommended are not deposits on ABN AMRO Bank
N.V. and are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank or thrift,
nor are they insured by the FDIC or any governmental agency.
Market Risk
The variable rate on the notes for one or more of the variable
coupon periods may be zero, which means that investors would
not receive any interest on the notes for one or more of the
variable coupon periods. In addition, even if the overall value
of the underlying stocks increases during the term of the notes,
investors may not be entitled to receive coupon payments reflecting
such increase for the following reasons: First, the variable
rate in any variable coupon period is capped at the upper boundary.
The underlying stocks might increase above such upper boundary
but the variable coupon will not increase above such upper boundary.
Thus investors may not participate in the entire price appreciation
of the underlying stocks in one or more variable coupon periods.
Second, notwithstanding the limitation on depreciation in each
coupon period (reflected by the lower boundary), because of
the averaging method of calculating the variable rate, increases
in the price of one or more of the underlying stocks in a coupon
period may be offset (in some cases substantially or even wholly)
by decreases or insufficient increases in one or more of the
other underlying stocks during such coupon period. This may
decrease the overall variable coupon. There can be no assurance
that individual stock prices on the portfolio stocks will move
together. Third, in each variable coupon period, increases in
price of the underlying stocks are measured as compared to the
initial prices of the underlying stocks on the day the notes
are priced, rather than as compared to the prices during or
at a fixed point in the previous coupon period. This means that
the variable rate for a variable coupon payment period might
be 0%, even when there is a positive price increase as compared
to the previous coupon period. After the initial fixed coupon
payment, investors may receive a small interest payment or no
interest payment at all, and, accordingly, may not be compensated
for any loss in value due to inflation and other factors relating
to the value of money over time. The initial coupon payment
is fixed, so investors will not benefit from increases in the
underlying stocks during the initial coupon period.
Liquidity Risk
ABN AMRO does not intend to list the notes on any securities
exchange. Accordingly, there may be little or no secondary market
for the notes and information regarding independent market pricing
of the notes may be limited. The value of the notes in the secondary
market, if any, will be subject to many unpredictable factors,
including then prevailing market conditions. It is important
to note that many factors will contribute to the secondary market
value of the Yield Magnet Notes, and investors may not receive
their full principal back if the notesare sold prior to maturity.
Such factors include, but are not limited to, time to maturity,
the value of the underlying portfolio, volatility and interest
rates. In addition, the price, if any, at which we or another
party are willing to purchase notes in secondary market transactions
will likely be lower than the issue price, since the issue price
included, and secondary market prices are likely to exclude,
commissions, discounts or markups paid with respect to the notes,
as well as the cost of hedging our obligations under the notes.
Tax Risk
U.S. taxable investors will generally be required to accrue
as ordinary income amounts based on the “comparable yield”
of the notes, as determined by ABN AMRO, which may be in excess
of any actual interest payments made on the notes in a particular
taxable year. Further, the amount of income a U.S. taxable investor
will be required to recognize each year will be adjusted to
the extent the amount of the actual interest payments on the
notes differs from the projected amount payable in such year.
In addition, any gain recognized upon a sale of the notes will
generally be treated as ordinary interest income for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. This disclosure is limited to the federal
tax issues addressed herein. Additional issues may exist that
are not addressed in this disclosure and that could affect the
federal tax treatment of the transaction. This tax disclosure
was written in connection with the promotion or marketing by
ABN AMRO Bank N.V. and the placement agent of the Yield Magnet
Notes, and it cannot be used by any investor for the purpose
of avoiding penalties that may be asserted against the investor
under the Internal Revenue Code. Investors should seek their
own advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent
tax advisor.
Yield Magnet Notes is a Service Mark of ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
SEC Legend
ABN AMRO has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus)
with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates.
Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration
statement and other documents ABN AMRO has filed with the SEC
for more complete information about ABN AMRO and the offering
of the notes.
You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the
SEC web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, ABN AMRO, any underwriter
or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send
you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll
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