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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration No. 333-228614
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The Bank of Nova Scotia
$8,842,000 Capped Buffered Enhanced Participation Notes
Linked to the MSCI EAFE® Index Due September 21, 2020
The notes do not bear interest. The amount that you will be paid on your notes at maturity (September 21, 2020) is based on the performance of the MSCI EAFE® Index (the
reference asset) as measured from the trade date (March 19, 2019) to and including the valuation date (September 17, 2020).
If the final level on the valuation date is greater than the initial level of 1,907.49, the return on your notes will be positive and
will equal 2.0 times the percentage change, subject to the maximum payment amount of $1,179.00 for each $1,000 principal amount of your notes. If
the final level declines by up to 10.00% from the initial level, you will receive the principal amount of your notes. If the final level declines by more
than 10.00% from the initial level, the return on your notes will be negative and you may lose your entire principal amount. Specifically, you will lose approximately 1.1111% for every 1% negative percentage change below 90.00% of the initial
level. Any payment on your notes is subject to the creditworthiness of The Bank of Nova Scotia.
To determine your payment at maturity, we will first calculate the percentage change, which is the percentage increase or decrease in the
final level from the initial level. At maturity, for each $1,000 principal amount of your notes:
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●
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if the final level is greater
than the initial level (the percentage change is positive), you will receive an amount in cash equal to the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the percentage change times (c) 200%, subject to the maximum payment
amount;
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|
●
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if the final level is equal
to the initial level or less than the initial level, but not by more than 10.00% (the percentage change is zero or negative but equal to or greater than -10.00%),
you will receive an amount in cash equal to $1,000; or
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|
●
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if the final level is less
than the initial level by more than 10.00% (the percentage change is negative and is less than -10.00%), you will receive an amount in cash
equal to the sum of (i) $1,000 plus (ii) the product of (a) $1,000 times (b) the buffer rate of approximately
111.11% times (c) the sum of the percentage change plus 10.00%.
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Following the determination of the initial level, the amount you will be paid on your notes at maturity will not be
affected by the closing level of the reference asset on any day other than the valuation date. In addition, no payments on your notes will be made prior to maturity.
Investment in the notes involves certain risks. You should refer to “Additional Risks” beginning
on page P-15 of this pricing supplement and “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” beginning on page PS-6 of the accompanying product prospectus supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-2 of the accompanying prospectus supplement
and on page 5 of the accompanying prospectus.
The initial estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes were set on the trade date was $986.80 per $1,000 principal amount, which is less than the original issue price of your notes listed below. See “Additional Information Regarding Estimated Value of the Notes” on the following page and
“Additional Risks” beginning on page P-15 of this document for additional information. The actual value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy.
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Per Note
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Total
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Original Issue Price
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100.00%
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$8,842,000.00
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Underwriting commissions
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1.08%
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$95,493.60
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Proceeds to The Bank of Nova Scotia
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98.92%
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$8,746,506.40
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NEITHER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE NOTES OR PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR THE ADEQUACY OF THIS PRICING SUPPLEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR ACCOMPANYING PRODUCT PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE NOTES ARE NOT INSURED BY THE CANADA DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (THE
“CDIC”) PURSUANT TO THE CANADA DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION ACT (THE “CDIC ACT”) OR THE U.S. FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCY OF CANADA, THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
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Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
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Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
Dealer
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Pricing Supplement dated March 19, 2019
The Capped Buffered Enhanced Participation Notes Linked to the MSCI EAFE® Index Due September 21,
2020 (the “notes”) offered hereunder are unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of The Bank of Nova Scotia (the “Bank”) and are subject to investment risks including possible loss of the principal amount invested due to the negative performance of
the reference asset and the credit risk of The Bank of Nova Scotia. As used in this pricing supplement, the “Bank,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to The Bank of Nova Scotia. The notes will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or automated
quotation system.
The return on your notes will relate to the price return of the reference asset and will not include a total
return or dividend component. The notes are derivative products based on the performance of the reference asset. The notes do not constitute a direct investment in any of the shares, units or other securities represented by the reference asset. By
acquiring the notes, you will not have a direct economic or other interest in, claim or entitlement to, or any legal or beneficial ownership of any such share, unit or security and will not have any rights as a shareholder, unitholder or other
security holder of any of the issuers including, without limitation, any voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions.
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. (“SCUSA”), our affiliate, has agreed to purchase the notes from us for
distribution to other registered broker dealers or has offered the notes directly to investors. SCUSA or any of its affiliates or agents may use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions in notes after their initial sale. Unless we, SCUSA
or another of our affiliates or agents selling such notes to you informs you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, this pricing supplement is being used in a market-making transaction. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in
this pricing supplement and “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page PS-36 of the accompanying product prospectus supplement.
The original issue price, commissions and proceeds to the Bank listed above relate to the notes we issue
initially. We may decide to sell additional notes after the date of this pricing supplement, at original issue prices and with commissions and proceeds to the Bank that differ from the amounts set forth above. The return (whether positive or negative)
on your investment in the notes will depend in part on the original issue price you pay for such notes.
Additional Information Regarding Estimated Value of the Notes
On the cover page of this pricing supplement, the Bank has provided the initial estimated value for the
notes. This initial estimated value was determined by reference to the Bank’s internal pricing models, which take into consideration certain factors, such as the Bank’s internal funding rate on the trade date and the Bank’s assumptions about market
parameters. For more information about the initial estimated value, see “Additional Risks” on page P-15.
The economic terms of the notes (including the maximum payment amount) are based on the Bank’s internal
funding rate, which is the rate the Bank would pay to borrow funds through the issuance of similar market-linked notes, the underwriting discount and the economic terms of certain related hedging arrangements. Due to these factors, the original issue
price you pay to purchase the notes is greater than the initial estimated value of the notes. The Bank’s internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate the Bank would pay when it issues conventional fixed rate debt securities as discussed
further under “Additional Risks — Neither the Bank’s nor Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC’s (“GS&Co.’s”) estimated value of the notes at any time is determined by reference to credit spreads or the borrowing rate the Bank would pay for its conventional
fixed-rate debt securities”. The Bank’s use of its internal funding rate reduces the economic terms of the notes to you.
The value of your notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted; however, the price (not
including GS&Co.’s customary bid and ask spreads) at which GS&Co. would initially buy or sell notes in the secondary market (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) and the value that GS&Co. will initially use for
account statements and otherwise is equal to approximately GS&Co.’s estimate of the market value of your notes on the trade date, based on its pricing models and taking into account the Bank’s internal funding rate, plus an additional amount
(initially equal to $6.10 per $1,000 principal amount).
Prior to June 19, 2019, the price (not including GS&Co.’s customary bid and ask spreads) at which
GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if it makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) will equal approximately the sum of (a) the then-current estimated value of your notes (as determined by reference to GS&Co.’s pricing models) plus (b)
any remaining additional amount (the additional amount will decline to zero on a straight-line basis from the time of pricing through June 18, 2019). On and after June 19, 2019, the price (not including GS&Co.’s customary bid and ask spreads) at
which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if it makes a market) will equal approximately the then-current estimated value of your notes determined by reference to such pricing models. For additional information regarding the value of your notes
shown in your GS&Co. account statements and the price at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do), each based on GS&Co.’s pricing models; see “Additional Risks — The price at
which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) is based on GS&Co.’s estimated value of your notes”.
We urge you to read the “Additional Risks” beginning on page P-15 of this pricing supplement.
P-2
| Summary |
The information in this “Summary” section is qualified by the more detailed information set forth in this pricing supplement, the
accompanying prospectus, accompanying prospectus supplement, and accompanying product prospectus supplement, each filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). See “Additional Terms of Your Notes” in this pricing supplement.
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Issuer:
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The Bank of Nova Scotia (the “Bank”)
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Issue:
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Senior Note Program, Series A
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CUSIP/ISIN:
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CUSIP 064159NP7 / ISIN US064159NP76
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Type of Notes:
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Capped Buffered Enhanced
Participation Notes
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Reference Asset:
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The MSCI EAFE® Index (Bloomberg Ticker: MXEA)
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Minimum Investment and Denominations:
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$1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof
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Principal Amount:
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$1,000 per note; $8,842,000 in the aggregate for all the offered notes; the aggregate principal amount of the
offered notes may be increased if the Bank, at its sole option, decides to sell an additional amount of the offered notes on a date subsequent to the date of this pricing supplement.
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Original Issue Price:
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100% of the principal amount of each note
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Currency:
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U.S. dollars
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Trade Date:
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March 19, 2019 |
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Original Issue Date:
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March 26, 2019.
Delivery of the notes will be made against payment therefor on or about the 5th business day following the date of pricing of the notes (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+5”).
Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days (“T+2”), unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly,
purchasers who wish to trade the notes on or prior to the second business day before delivery of the notes will be required, by virtue of the fact that each note initially will settle in five business days (T+5), to specify alternative
settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
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Valuation Date:
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September 17, 2020.
The valuation date could be delayed by the occurrence of a market disruption event. See “General Terms of the Notes—Market Disruption Events” beginning on page PS-20 in the accompanying
product prospectus supplement. Further, if the valuation date is not a trading day, the valuation date will be postponed in the same manner as if a market disruption event has occurred.
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Maturity Date:
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September 21, 2020, subject to adjustment due to a market disruption event, a non-trading day or a non-business day as
described in more detail under “General Terms of the Notes—Maturity Date” on page PS-18 in the accompanying product prospectus
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P-3
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supplement.
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Principal at Risk:
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You may lose all or a substantial portion of your initial investment at maturity if there is a percentage decrease from the
initial level to the final level of more than 10.00%.
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Purchase at amount other than principal amount:
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The amount we will pay you on the maturity date for your notes will not be adjusted based on the original issue price you pay
for your notes, so if you acquire notes at a premium (or discount) to the principal amount and hold them to the maturity date, it could affect your investment in a number of ways. The return on your investment in such notes will be lower
(or higher) than it would have been had you purchased the notes at the principal amount. Also, the stated buffer level would not offer the same measure of protection to your investment as would be the case if you had purchased the notes
at the principal amount. Additionally, the maximum payment amount would be triggered at a lower (or higher) percentage return than indicated below, relative to your initial investment. See “Additional Risks—If you purchase your notes at a
premium to the principal amount, the return on your investment will be lower than the return on notes purchased at the principal amount and the impact of certain key terms of the notes will be negatively affected” on page P-19 of this
pricing supplement.
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Fees and Expenses:
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As part of the distribution of the notes, SCUSA or one of our other affiliates has agreed to sell the
notes to GS&Co. at a discount reflecting commissions of $10.80 per $1,000 principal amount of notes. The commissions per $1,000 principal amount are comprised of $2.50 of fees and $8.30 of selling commission. See "Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)" in this pricing supplement.
The price at which you purchase the notes includes costs that the Bank or its affiliates expect to incur and
profits that the Bank or its affiliates expect to realize in connection with hedging activities related to the notes, as set forth below under “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)”. These costs and profits will
likely reduce the secondary market price, if any secondary market develops, for the notes. As a result, you may experience an immediate and substantial decline in the market value of your notes on the trade date. See “Additional
Risks—Hedging activities by the Bank and GS&Co. may negatively impact investors in the notes and cause our respective interests and those of our clients and counterparties to be contrary to those of investors in the notes” in this
pricing supplement.
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Payment at Maturity:
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The payment at maturity, for each $1,000 principal amount of notes, will be based on the performance of the reference asset and
will be calculated as follows:
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● If the final level is greater than the initial level, then the payment at maturity will equal:
o The lesser of (a) principal amount + (principal amount x percentage change x participation rate) and (b) maximum payment amount
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● If the final level is greater than or equal to the buffer level, but less than or equal to the initial level, then the payment at maturity
will equal the principal amount
● If the final level is less than the buffer level, then the payment at maturity will equal:
o principal amount + [principal amount x buffer rate x (percentage change + buffer percentage)]
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| In this case you will suffer a percentage loss on your initial investment equal to the buffer rate multiplied by the negative percentage change in excess of the |
P-4
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buffer percentage. Accordingly, you could lose up to 100% of your initial investment.
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Closing Level:
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As used herein, the “closing level” of the reference asset on any date will be determined based upon the closing level
published on the Bloomberg Professional® service (“Bloomberg”) page “MXEA<Index>” or any successor page on Bloomberg or any successor service, as applicable, on such date. Currently, Bloomberg reports the closing level of
the reference asset to fewer decimal places than MSCI Inc., the sponsor of the reference asset (the ''sponsor''). As a result, the closing level of the reference asset reported by Bloomberg generally may be lower or higher than the
official closing level of the reference asset published by the sponsor.
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Initial Level:
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1,907.49, which was the closing level of the reference asset on the trade date.
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Final Level:
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The closing level of the reference asset on the valuation date. In certain special circumstances, the final level
will be determined by the calculation agent, in its discretion. See “General Terms of the Notes—Unavailability of the Level of the Reference Asset on a Valuation Date” beginning on page PS-19 and “General Terms of the Notes—Market
Disruption Events” beginning on page PS-20 in the accompanying product prospectus supplement.
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Percentage Change:
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The percentage change, expressed as a percentage, with respect to the payment at maturity, is calculated as
follows:
final level – initial level
initial level
For the avoidance of doubt, the percentage change may be a negative value.
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Participation Rate:
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200.00%
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Buffer Level:
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90.00% of the initial level
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Buffer Percentage:
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10.00%
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Buffer Rate:
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The quotient of
the initial level divided by the buffer level, which equals approximately 111.11%
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Maximum Payment Amount:
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$1,179.00 for each $1,000 principal amount of your notes, which equals the principal amount x 117.90%. The maximum payment
amount sets a cap on appreciation of the reference asset of 8.95%.
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Form of Notes:
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Book-entry
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Calculation Agent:
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Scotia Capital Inc., an affiliate of the Bank
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Status:
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The notes will constitute direct, unsubordinated and unsecured obligations of the Bank ranking pari passu with all other direct, unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Bank from time to time outstanding (except as otherwise prescribed by law). Holders
will not have the benefit of any insurance under the provisions of the CDIC Act, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Act or under any other deposit insurance regime of any jurisdiction.
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P-5
| Tax Redemption: | The Bank (or its successor) may redeem the notes, in whole but not in part, at a redemption price determined by the calculation agent in a manner reasonably calculated to preserve your and our relative economic position, if it is determined that changes in tax laws or their interpretation will result in the Bank (or its successor) becoming obligated to pay additional amounts with respect to the notes. See “Tax Redemption” in the accompanying product prospectus supplement. | |
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Listing:
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The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or quotation system.
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Use of Proceeds:
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General corporate purposes
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Clearance and Settlement:
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Depository Trust Company
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Trading Day:
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A day on which the reference asset is calculated and published by its sponsor, regardless of whether one or more of the
principal securities markets for the stocks comprising the reference asset (the “reference asset constituent stocks”) are closed on that day.
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Business Day:
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New York and Toronto
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Terms Incorporated:
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All of the terms appearing above the item under the caption “General Terms of the Notes” beginning on page PS-15 in
the accompanying product prospectus supplement, as modified by this pricing supplement.
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Canadian Bail-in:
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The notes are not bail-inable debt securities under the CDIC Act.
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INVESTING IN THE NOTES INVOLVES SIGNIFICANT RISKS. YOU MAY LOSE ALL OR A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF YOUR INVESTMENT. ANY
PAYMENT ON THE NOTES, INCLUDING ANY REPAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL, IS SUBJECT TO THE CREDITWORTHINESS OF THE BANK. IF THE BANK WERE TO DEFAULT ON ITS PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS YOU MAY NOT RECEIVE ANY AMOUNTS OWED TO YOU UNDER THE NOTES AND YOU COULD LOSE YOUR
ENTIRE INVESTMENT.
P-6
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ADDITIONAL TERMS OF YOUR NOTES
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You should read this pricing supplement together with the prospectus dated December 26, 2018, as supplemented by the
prospectus supplement dated December 26, 2018 and the product prospectus supplement (Equity Linked Index Notes, Series A) dated December 26, 2018, relating to our Senior Note Program, Series A, of which these notes are a part. Capitalized terms used
but not defined in this pricing supplement will have the meanings given to them in the product prospectus supplement. In the event of any conflict between this pricing supplement and any of the foregoing, the following hierarchy will govern: first,
this pricing supplement; second, the accompanying product prospectus supplement; third, the prospectus supplement; and last, the prospectus. The
notes may vary from the terms described in the accompanying prospectus, accompanying prospectus supplement and accompanying product prospectus supplement in several important ways. You should read this pricing supplement carefully, including the
documents incorporated by reference herein.
This pricing supplement, together with the documents listed below, contains the terms of the notes and supersedes all
prior or contemporaneous oral statements as well as any other written materials including preliminary or indicative pricing terms, correspondence, trade ideas, structures for implementation, sample structures, brochures or other educational materials
of ours. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” in the accompanying product prospectus supplement, as the notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt
securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the notes. You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if that address has changed, by reviewing
our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website).
Product Prospectus Supplement (Equity Linked Index Notes, Series A) dated December 26, 2018:
Prospectus Supplement dated December 26, 2018:
Prospectus dated December 26, 2018:
P-7
|
INVESTOR SUITABILITY
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The notes may be suitable for you if:
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●
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You fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the notes, including the risk of losing all or a
substantial portion of your initial investment.
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●
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You can tolerate a loss of up to 100% of your initial investment.
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●
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You are willing to make an investment that, if the final level of the reference asset is less than the buffer level,
has an accelerated downside risk greater than the downside market risk of an investment in the reference asset or in the reference asset constituent stocks.
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●
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You believe that the level of the reference asset will appreciate over the term of the notes and that the appreciation is
unlikely to exceed the cap on appreciation within the maximum payment amount.
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●
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You are willing to hold the notes to maturity, a term of approximately 18 months, and accept that there may be little
or no secondary market for the notes.
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●
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You understand and accept that your potential payment at maturity is limited to the maximum payment amount and you are willing to
invest in the notes based on the maximum payment amount indicated on the cover hereof.
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●
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You can tolerate fluctuations in the price of the notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the
downside fluctuations in the level of the reference asset or in the price of its reference asset constituent stocks.
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| ● |
You do not seek current income from your investment. |
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You seek an investment with exposure to companies in the developed markets of Europe, Asia, Australia and the Far East.
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You are willing to assume the credit risk of the Bank for all payments under the notes, and understand that if the
Bank defaults on its obligations you may not receive any amounts due to you including any repayment of principal.
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The notes may not be suitable for you if:
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●
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You do not fully understand the risks inherent in an investment in the notes, including the risk of losing all or a
substantial portion of your initial investment.
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You require an investment designed to guarantee a full return of principal at maturity.
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You cannot tolerate a loss of all or a substantial portion of your initial investment.
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You are not willing to make an investment that, if the final level of the reference asset is less than the buffer
level, has an accelerated downside risk greater than the downside market risk of an investment in the reference asset or in the reference asset constituent stocks.
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●
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You believe that the level of the reference asset will decline during the term of the notes and the final level will likely be less
than the buffer level, or you believe the level of the reference asset will appreciate over the term of the notes and that the appreciation is likely to equal or exceed the cap on appreciation within the maximum payment amount.
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●
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You seek an investment that has unlimited return potential without a cap on appreciation or you are unwilling to invest in the
notes based on the maximum payment amount indicated on the cover hereof.
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●
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You cannot tolerate fluctuations in the price of the notes prior to maturity that may be similar to or exceed the
downside fluctuations in the level of the reference asset or in the price of its reference asset constituent stocks.
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| ● | You seek current income from your investment or prefer to receive dividends paid on the reference asset constituent stocks. |
| ● | You are unable or unwilling to hold the notes to maturity, a term of approximately 18 months, or you seek an investment for which there will be a secondary market. |
P-8
| ● |
You do not seek an investment with exposure to companies in the developed markets of Europe, Asia, Australia and the Far East.
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●
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You are not willing to assume the credit risk of the Bank for all payments under the notes.
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The investor suitability considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the notes
are a suitable investment for you will depend on your individual circumstances and you should reach an investment decision only after you and your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors have carefully considered the suitability of an
investment in the notes in light of your particular circumstances. You should also review ‘‘Additional Risks’’ in this pricing supplement and the ‘‘Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes’’ beginning on page PS-6 of the accompanying product prospectus supplement and "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-2 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and on page 5 of the accompanying prospectus for risks
related to an investment in the notes.
P-9
| HYPOTHETICAL PAYMENTS AT MATURITY ON THE NOTES |
The examples set out below are included for illustration purposes only. They should not be taken as an indication or prediction of future
investment results and are intended merely to illustrate the impact that the various hypothetical reference asset levels on the valuation date could have on the payment at maturity assuming all other variables remain constant.
The examples below are based on a range of final levels that are entirely hypothetical; the level of the reference asset on any day
throughout the life of the notes, including the final level on the valuation date, cannot be predicted. The reference asset has been highly volatile in the past, meaning that the level of the reference asset has changed considerably in relatively
short periods, and its performance cannot be predicted for any future period.
The information in the following examples reflects hypothetical rates of return on the offered notes assuming that they are purchased on
the original issue date at the principal amount and held to the maturity date. If you sell your notes in a secondary market prior to the maturity date, your return will depend upon the market value of your notes at the time of sale, which may be
affected by a number of factors that are not reflected in the examples below, such as interest rates, the volatility of the reference asset and our creditworthiness. In addition, the estimated value of your notes at the time the terms of your notes
were set on the trade date (as determined by reference to pricing models used by us) is less than the original issue price of your notes. For more information on the estimated value of your notes, see “Additional Risks—The Bank’s initial estimated
value of the notes at the time of pricing (when the terms of your notes were set on the trade date) is lower than the original issue price of the notes” on page P-15 of this pricing supplement. The information in the examples also reflect the key
terms and assumptions in the box below.
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Key Terms and Assumptions
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Principal amount
|
$1,000
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|
Participation rate
|
200.00%
|
|
Maximum payment amount
|
$1,179.00 for each $1,000 principal amount of your notes
|
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Buffer level
|
90.00% of the initial level
|
|
Buffer percentage
|
10.00%
|
|
Buffer rate
|
approximately 111.11%
|
|
Neither a market disruption event nor a non-trading day occurs on the originally scheduled valuation date
|
|
|
No change in or affecting any of the reference asset constituent stocks or the method by which the sponsor calculates the reference
asset
|
|
|
Notes purchased on the original issue date at the principal amount and held to the maturity date
|
|
The actual performance of the reference asset over the life of your notes, as well as the amount payable at
maturity, if any, may bear little relation to the hypothetical examples shown below or to the historical levels of the reference asset shown elsewhere in this pricing supplement. For information about the historical levels of the reference asset, see
“Information Regarding the Reference Asset—Historical Information” below.
Also, the hypothetical examples shown below do not take into account the effects of applicable taxes. Because of
the U.S. tax treatment applicable to your notes, tax liabilities could affect the after-tax rate of return on your notes to a comparatively greater extent than the after-tax return on the reference asset constituent stocks.
The levels in the left column of the table below represent hypothetical final levels and are
expressed as percentages of the initial level. The amounts in the right column represent the hypothetical payment at maturity, based on the corresponding hypothetical final level, and are expressed as percentages of the principal amount of a note
(rounded to the nearest one-thousandth of a percent). Thus, a hypothetical payment at maturity of 100.000% means that the value of the cash payment that we would pay for each $1,000 of the outstanding principal amount of the offered notes on the
maturity date would equal 100.000% of the principal amount of a note, based on the corresponding hypothetical final level and the assumptions noted above.
P-10
|
Hypothetical Final Level
(as Percentage of Initial Level)
|
Hypothetical Payment at Maturity
(as Percentage of Principal Amount)
|
|
150.000%
|
117.900%
|
|
140.000%
|
117.900%
|
|
130.000%
|
117.900%
|
|
120.000%
|
117.900%
|
|
110.000%
|
117.900%
|
|
108.950%
|
117.900%
|
|
105.000%
|
110.000%
|
|
104.000%
|
108.000%
|
|
102.000%
|
104.000%
|
|
100.000%
|
100.000%
|
|
95.000%
|
100.000%
|
|
90.000%
|
100.000%
|
|
80.000%
|
88.889%
|
|
70.000%
|
77.778%
|
|
60.000%
|
66.667%
|
|
50.000%
|
55.556%
|
|
25.000%
|
27.778%
|
|
0.000%
|
0.000%
|
If, for example, the final level were determined to be 25.000% of the initial level, the payment at maturity that we would pay on your
notes at maturity would be approximately 27.778% of the principal amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you purchased your notes on the original issue date at the principal amount and held them to the maturity date, you
would lose approximately 72.222% of your investment (if you purchased your notes at a premium to the principal amount you would lose a correspondingly higher percentage of your investment). If the final level were determined to be 0.000% of the
initial level, you would lose 100.000% of your investment in the notes. In addition, if the final level were determined to be 150.000% of the initial level, the payment at maturity that we would pay on your notes would be capped at the maximum
payment amount, or 117.900% of each $1,000 principal amount of your notes, as shown in the table above. As a result, if you held your notes to the maturity date, you
would not benefit from any increase in the final level of greater than 108.950% of the initial level.
P-11
The following chart shows a graphical illustration of the hypothetical payment at maturity that we would pay on your notes on the maturity
date, if the final level were any of the hypothetical levels shown on the horizontal axis. The hypothetical payments at maturity in the chart are expressed as
percentages of the principal amount of your notes and the hypothetical final levels are expressed as percentages of the initial level. The chart shows that any hypothetical final level of less than 90.000% (the section left of the 90.000% marker on
the horizontal axis) would result in a hypothetical payment at maturity of less than 100.000% of the principal amount of your notes (the section below the 100.000% marker on the vertical axis) and, accordingly, in a loss of principal to the holder of
the notes. The chart also shows that any hypothetical final level of greater than or equal to 108.950% (the section right of the 108.950% marker on the horizontal axis) would result in a capped return on your investment.
P-12
The following examples illustrate the calculation of the payment at maturity based on the key terms and assumptions above. The amounts below
have been rounded for ease of analysis.
|
Example 1—
|
Calculation of the payment at maturity where the percentage change is positive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage Change:
|
5.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment at Maturity:
|
$1,000.00 + ($1,000.00 x 200.00% x 5.00%) = $1,000.00 + $100.00 = $1,100.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On a $1,000.00 investment, a 5.00% percentage change results in a payment at maturity of $1,100.00.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example 2—
|
Calculation of the payment at maturity where the percentage change is positive and the payment at maturity is
subject to the maximum payment amount.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage Change:
|
50.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment at Maturity:
|
$1,000.00 + ($1,000.00 x 200.00% x 50.00%) = $1,000.00 + $1,000.00 = $2,000.00. However, the maximum payment amount
is $1,179.00 and the payment at maturity would be $1,179.00.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On a $1,000.00 investment, a 50.00% percentage change results in a payment at maturity of $1,179.00.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example 3—
|
Calculation of the payment at maturity where the percentage change is negative but is equal to or greater than
-10.00%.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage Change:
|
-8.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment at Maturity:
|
$1,000.00 (at maturity, if the percentage change is negative BUT the decrease is not more than the buffer
percentage, then the payment at maturity will equal the principal amount).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On a $1,000.00 investment, a -8.00% percentage change results in a payment at maturity of $1,000.00.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example 4—
|
Calculation of the payment at maturity where the percentage change is negative and is less than -10.00%.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage Change:
|
-50.00%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payment at Maturity:
|
$1,000.00 + [$1,000.00 x 111.11% x (-50.00% + 10.00%)] = $1,000.00 - $444.44 = $555.56
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
On a $1,000.00 investment, a -50.00% percentage change results in a payment at maturity of $555.56.
Accordingly, if the percentage change is less than
-10.00%, the Bank will pay you less than the full principal amount, resulting in a percentage loss on your investment that is equal to the buffer rate multiplied by the negative percentage change in excess of the buffer percentage. You may lose up to 100% of your principal amount.
|
|
P-13
Any payment on the notes, including any repayment of principal, is subject to the creditworthiness
of the Bank. If the Bank were to default on its payment obligations, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the notes and you could lose your entire investment.
The payments at maturity shown above are entirely hypothetical; they are based on hypothetical levels of the reference asset that may not
be achieved on the valuation date and on assumptions that may prove to be erroneous. The actual market value of your notes on the maturity date or at any other time, including any time you may wish to sell your notes, may bear little relation to the
hypothetical payments at maturity shown above, and these amounts should not be viewed as an indication of the financial return on an investment in the offered notes. The hypothetical payments at maturity on the notes held to the maturity date in the
examples above assume you purchased your notes at their principal amount and have not been adjusted to reflect the actual original issue price you pay for your notes. The return on your investment (whether positive or negative) in your notes will be
affected by the amount you pay for your notes. If you purchase your notes for a price other than the principal amount, the return on your investment will differ from, and may be significantly lower than, the hypothetical returns suggested by the
above examples. Please read “Additional Risks—The price at which the notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount for which they were originally purchased” beginning on page P-19
of this pricing supplement.
Payments on the notes are economically equivalent to the amounts that would be paid on a combination of other
instruments. For example, payments on the notes are economically equivalent to a combination of a non- interest-bearing bond bought by the holder and one or more options entered into between the holder and us (with one or more implicit option
premiums paid over time). The discussion in this paragraph does not modify or affect the terms of the notes or the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the notes, as described elsewhere in this pricing supplement.
|
We cannot predict the actual final level or what the market value of your notes will be on any particular
trading day, nor can we predict the relationship between the level of the reference asset and the market value of your notes at any time prior to the maturity date. The actual amount that you will receive, if any, at maturity and the rate
of return on the offered notes will depend on the actual final level to be determined by the calculation agent as described above. Moreover, the assumptions on which the hypothetical returns are based may turn out to be inaccurate.
Consequently, the amount of cash to be paid in respect of your notes, if any, on the maturity date may be very different from the information reflected in the examples above.
|
P-14
|
ADDITIONAL RISKS
|
An investment in the notes involves significant risks. In addition to the following risks
included in this pricing supplement, we urge you to read “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes” beginning on page PS-6 of the accompanying product prospectus supplement and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-2 of the accompanying prospectus
supplement and page 6 of the accompanying prospectus.
You should understand the risks of investing in the notes and should reach an investment decision only after careful
consideration, with your advisors, of the suitability of the notes in light of your particular financial circumstances and the information set forth in this pricing supplement and the accompanying prospectus, accompanying prospectus supplement and
accompanying product prospectus supplement.
The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes at the time of pricing (when the terms of your
notes were set on the trade date) is lower than the original issue price of the notes
The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes is only an estimate. The original issue price of the notes exceeds
the Bank’s initial estimated value. The difference between the original issue price of the notes and the Bank’s initial estimated value reflects costs associated with selling and structuring the notes, as well as hedging its obligations under the
notes with a third party.
Neither the Bank’s nor GS&Co.’s estimated value of the notes at any time is determined by
reference to credit spreads or the borrowing rate the Bank would pay for its conventional fixed-rate debt securities
The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes and GS&Co.’s estimated value of the notes at any time are
determined by reference to the Bank’s internal funding rate. The internal funding rate used in the determination of the estimated value of the notes generally represents a discount from the credit spreads for the Bank’s conventional fixed-rate debt
securities and the borrowing rate the Bank would pay for its conventional fixed-rate debt securities. This discount is based on, among other things, the Bank’s 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 the Bank’s conventional fixed-rate debt. If the interest rate implied by the credit spreads for the Bank’s conventional fixed-rate debt securities, or the borrowing
rate the Bank would pay for its conventional fixed-rate debt securities were to be used, the Bank would expect the economic terms of the notes to be more favorable to you. Consequently, the use of an internal funding rate for the notes increases the
estimated value of the notes at any time and has an adverse effect on the economic terms of the notes.
The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes does not represent future values of the notes and
may differ from others’ (including GS&Co.’s) estimates
The Bank’s initial estimated value of the notes is determined by reference to its internal pricing models when the
terms of the notes were set. These pricing models consider certain factors, such as the Bank’s internal funding rate on the trade date, the expected term of the notes, market conditions and other relevant factors existing at that time, and the
Bank’s assumptions about market parameters, which can include volatility, dividend rates, interest rates and other factors. Different pricing models and assumptions (including the pricing models and assumptions used by GS&Co.) could provide
valuations for the notes that are different, and perhaps materially lower, from the Bank’s initial estimated value. Therefore, the price at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do)
may be materially lower than the Bank’s initial estimated value. In addition, market conditions and other relevant factors in the future may change, and any assumptions may prove to be incorrect.
The price at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it
is not obligated to do) is based on GS&Co.’s estimated value of your notes
GS&Co.’s estimated value of the notes is determined by reference to its pricing models and takes into account the
Bank’s internal funding rate. The price at which GS&Co. would initially buy or sell your notes in the secondary market (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) exceeds GS&Co.’s estimated value of your notes at the time
of pricing. As agreed by GS&Co. and the distribution participants, this excess (i.e., the additional amount described under “Additional Information Regarding Estimated Value of the Notes” above) will decline to zero on a straight line basis over
the period from the trade date through the applicable date set forth under “Additional Information Regarding Estimated Value of the Notes” above. Thereafter, if GS&Co. buys or sells your notes it will do so at prices that reflect the estimated
value determined by reference to GS&Co.’s pricing models at that time. The price at which GS&Co. will buy or sell your notes at any time also will reflect its then current bid and ask spread for similar sized trades of structured notes. If
GS&Co. calculated its estimated
P-15
value of your notes by reference to the Bank’s credit spreads or the borrowing rate the Bank would pay for its
conventional fixed-rate debt securities (as opposed to the Bank’s internal funding rate), the price at which GS&Co. would buy or sell your notes (if GS&Co. makes a market, which it is not obligated to do) could be significantly lower.
GS&Co.’s pricing models consider certain variables, including principally the Bank’s internal funding rate,
interest rates (forecasted, current and historical rates), volatility, price-sensitivity analysis and the time to maturity of the notes. These pricing models are proprietary and rely in part on certain assumptions about future events, which may
prove to be incorrect. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold your notes in the secondary market, if any, to others may differ, perhaps materially, from the estimated value of your notes determined by reference to GS&Co.’s
models, taking into account the Bank’s internal funding rate, due to, among other things, any differences in pricing models or assumptions used by others. See “The price at which the notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of
factors and may be substantially less than the amount for which they were originally purchased” below.
In addition to the factors discussed above, the value and quoted price of your notes at any time will reflect many
factors and cannot be predicted. If GS&Co. makes a market in the notes, the price quoted by GS&Co. would reflect any changes in market conditions and other relevant factors, including any deterioration in the Bank’s creditworthiness or
perceived creditworthiness. These changes may adversely affect the value of your notes, including the price you may receive for your notes in any market making transaction. To the extent that GS&Co. makes a market in the notes, the quoted price
will reflect the estimated value determined by reference to GS&Co.’s pricing models at that time, plus or minus GS&Co.’s then current bid and ask spread for similar sized trades of structured notes (and subject to the declining excess amount
described above).
Furthermore, if you sell your notes, you will likely be charged a commission for secondary market transactions, or
the price will likely reflect a dealer discount. This commission or discount will further reduce the proceeds you would receive for your notes in a secondary market sale.
There is no assurance that GS&Co. or any other party will be willing to purchase your notes at any price and, in
this regard, GS&Co. is not obligated to make a market in the notes. See “The notes lack liquidity” below.
Risk of loss at maturity
You may lose your entire investment in the notes. Any payment on the notes at maturity depends on the percentage change of the reference
asset. The Bank will only repay you the full principal amount of your notes if the percentage change is equal to or greater than -10.00%. If the percentage change is less than -10.00%, you will have a loss for each $1,000 principal amount of your
notes equal to the product of (i) the buffer rate times
(ii) the sum of the percentage change plus the
buffer percentage times (iii) $1,000. Accordingly, you may
lose your entire investment in the notes if the percentage decline from the initial level to the final level is greater than 10.00%.
The downside market exposure to the reference asset is buffered only at maturity
You should be willing to hold your notes to maturity. If you are able to sell your notes prior to maturity in the
secondary market, you may have to sell them at a loss relative to your initial investment even if the level of the reference asset at such time is equal to or greater than the buffer level.
Your potential payment at maturity is limited by the maximum payment amount
The payment at maturity will not exceed the maximum payment amount. Therefore, if the appreciation of the level of
the reference asset exceeds the cap on appreciation in the maximum payment amount, the notes will provide less opportunity to participate in the appreciation of the reference asset than an investment in a security linked to the level of the reference
asset providing full participation in the appreciation. Accordingly, the return on the notes may be less than the return would be if you made an investment in a security directly linked to the positive performance of the reference asset.
The notes differ from conventional debt instruments
The notes are not conventional notes or debt instruments. The notes do not provide you with interest
payments prior to maturity as a conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt security with the same maturity would. The return that you will receive on the notes, which could be negative, may be less than the return you could earn on other
investments. Even if your return is positive, your return may be less than the return you would earn if you bought a conventional senior interest bearing debt security of the Bank.
No interest
The notes do not bear interest and, accordingly, you will not receive any interest payments on the notes.
P-16
Your investment is subject to the credit risk of The Bank of Nova Scotia
The notes are senior unsecured debt obligations of the Bank, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an
obligation of any third party. As further described in the accompanying prospectus, accompanying prospectus supplement and accompanying product prospectus supplement, the notes will rank on par with all of the other unsecured and unsubordinated debt
obligations of the Bank, except such obligations as may be preferred by operation of law. Any payment to be made on the notes, including the payment at maturity, depends on the ability of the Bank to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a
result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of the Bank may affect the market value of the notes and, in the event the Bank were to default on its obligations, you may not receive the amounts owed to you under the terms of the notes. If you
sell the notes prior to maturity, you may receive substantially less than the principal amount of your notes.
There are potential conflicts of interest between you and the calculation agent
Scotia Capital Inc., the calculation agent, is one of our affiliates. In performing its duties, the economic
interests of the calculation agent are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the notes. The calculation agent is under no obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the notes in taking any actions that might affect the
level of the reference asset and the value of, and amount payable on, the notes.
Investors should investigate the reference asset and the reference asset constituent stocks as if
making a hypothetical direct investment in the reference asset constituent stocks
Investors should conduct their own diligence of the reference asset and reference asset constituent stocks as an
investor would if it were making a hypothetical direct investment in the reference asset constituent stocks. Neither we nor any of our affiliates have participated in the preparation of any publicly available information or made any “due diligence”
investigation or inquiry with respect to the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the original issue date have been properly disclosed. Subsequent
disclosure of any such events or the disclosure or failure to disclose material future events concerning the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks could affect any payment at maturity. Investors should not conclude that the sale
by the Bank of the notes is any form of investment recommendation by the Bank or any of its affiliates to invest in securities linked to the performance of the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks.
The notes are subject to market risk
The return on the notes is directly linked to the performance of the reference asset and indirectly linked to the
performance of the reference asset constituent stocks, and the extent to which the percentage change is positive or negative. The level of the reference asset can rise or fall sharply due to factors specific to the reference asset constituent stocks,
as well as general market factors, such as general market volatility and levels, interest rates and economic and political conditions.
The participation rate applies only at maturity
You should be willing to hold your notes to maturity. If you are able to sell your notes prior to maturity in the
secondary market, the price you receive will likely not reflect the full economic value of the participation rate or the notes themselves, and the return you realize may be less than the percentage change multiplied by the participation rate even if
such return is positive and less than the maximum payment amount. You may receive the full benefit of the participation rate only if you hold your notes to maturity.
The payment at maturity is not linked to the level of the reference asset at any time other than
the valuation date (except in the case of tax redemptions)
The payment at maturity will be based on the final level. Therefore, for example, if the closing level of the
reference asset declined substantially as of the valuation date compared to the trade date, the payment at maturity may be significantly less than it would otherwise have been had the payment at maturity been linked to the closing levels of the
reference asset prior to the valuation date. Although the actual level of the reference asset at maturity or at other times during the term of the notes may be higher than the final level, you will not benefit from the closing levels of the
reference asset at any time other than the valuation date (except in the case of tax redemptions as described further under “Tax Redemption” in the accompanying product prospectus supplement).
If the levels of the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks change, the market
value of your notes may not change in the same manner
Your notes may trade quite differently from the performance of the reference asset or the reference asset constituent
stocks. Changes in the levels of the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks may not result in a comparable change
P-17
in the market value of your notes. We discuss some of the reasons for this disparity under “—The price at which the
notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors and may be substantially less than the amount for which they were originally purchased” below.
Holding the notes is not the same as holding the reference asset constituent stocks
Holding the notes is not the same as holding the reference asset constituent stocks. As a holder of the notes, you
will not be entitled to the voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or other rights that holders of the reference asset constituent stocks would enjoy. Further, the return on your notes may not reflect the return you would
realize if you actually owned the reference asset constituent stocks. For instance, you will not benefit from any positive percentage change in excess of an amount that, when multiplied by the participation rate, exceeds the cap on appreciation set
by the maximum payment amount.
There is no assurance that the investment view implicit in the notes will be successful
It is impossible to predict with certainty whether and the extent to which the level of the reference asset will rise
or fall. There can be no assurance that the level of the reference asset will rise above the initial level or that the percentage decline from the initial level to the final level will not be greater than the buffer percentage. The final level may be
influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors that affect the level of the reference asset constituent stocks. You should be willing to accept the risks of the price performance of equity securities in
general and the reference asset constituent stocks in particular, foreign exchange markets in general and the risk of losing some or all of your initial investment.
Furthermore, we cannot give you any assurance that the future performance of the reference asset or the reference
asset constituent stocks will result in your receiving an amount greater than or equal to the principal amount of your notes. Certain periods of historical performance of the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks would have
resulted in you receiving less than the principal amount of your notes if you had owned notes with terms similar to these notes in the past. See “Information Regarding The Reference Asset” in this pricing supplement for further information regarding
the historical performance of the reference asset.
There is no assurance as to the performance of the reference asset or the reference asset
constituent stocks; past performance of the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks
The notes are linked directly to the level of the reference asset and indirectly to the levels of the reference asset
constituent stocks, which are speculative and involve a high degree of risk. None of the Bank, the calculation agent or GS&Co., or any affiliate of the
Bank, the calculation agent or GS&Co. gives any assurance as to the performance of the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks. Investors
should not conclude that the sale by the Bank of the notes is an investment recommendation by it or by any of the other entities mentioned above to invest in securities linked to the performance of the reference asset or the reference asset
constituent stocks. Investors should consult with their own financial advisors as to whether an investment in the notes is appropriate for them. Past performance of the reference asset and the reference asset constituent stocks should not be taken as a guarantee or assurance of the future performance of
the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks, and it is impossible to predict whether the level of the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks will rise or fall during the term of the notes.
The reference asset reflects price return only and not total return
The return on your notes is based on the performance of the reference asset, which reflects the changes in the market prices of the
reference asset constituent stocks. It is not, however, linked to a ‘‘total return’’ index or strategy, which, in addition to reflecting those price returns, would also reflect dividends paid on the reference asset constituent stocks. The return on
your notes will not include such a total return feature or dividend component.
We may sell an additional aggregate principal amount of the notes at a different issue price
We may decide to sell an additional aggregate principal amount of the notes subsequent to the date of this pricing
supplement. The issue price of the notes in the subsequent sale may differ substantially (higher or lower) from the original issue price you paid as provided on the cover of this pricing supplement.
P-18
Changes affecting the reference asset could have an adverse effect on the value of the notes
The policies of the sponsor of the reference asset concerning additions, deletions and substitutions of the
reference asset constituent stocks and the manner in which the sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting those reference asset constituent stocks may adversely affect the
level of the reference asset. The policies of the sponsor with respect to the calculation of the reference asset could also adversely affect the level of the reference asset. The sponsor may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of
the reference asset. Any such actions could have a material adverse effect on the value of the notes.
The Bank cannot control actions by the sponsor and the sponsor has no obligation to consider your
interests
The Bank and its affiliates are not affiliated with the sponsor and have no ability to control or predict its
actions, including any errors in or discontinuation of public disclosure regarding methods or policies relating to the calculation of the reference asset. The sponsor is not involved in the notes offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your interest as an owner of the notes in taking any actions that might negatively affect the market value of your notes.
The notes are subject to non-U.S. securities market risk
The reference asset is subject to risks associated with non-U.S. securities markets, specifically the regions of Europe,
Asia, Australia and the Far East. An investment in the notes linked directly or indirectly to the value of securities issued by non-U.S. companies involves particular risks. Generally, non-U.S. securities markets may be more volatile than U.S.
securities markets, and market developments may affect non-U.S. markets differently from U.S. securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize these non-U.S. markets, as well as cross shareholdings in non-U.S. companies,
may affect trading prices and volumes in those markets. There is generally less publicly available information about non-U.S. companies than about those U.S. companies that are subject to the reporting requirements of the SEC, and non-U.S.
companies are subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements that differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies. Securities prices in non-U.S. countries are subject to political, economic, financial
and social factors that may be unique to the particular country. These factors, which could negatively affect the non-U.S. securities markets, include the possibility of recent or future changes in the non-U.S. government’s economic and fiscal
policies, the possible imposition of, or changes in, currency exchange laws or other non-U.S. laws or restrictions applicable to non-U.S. companies or investments in non-U.S. equity securities and the possibility of fluctuations in the rate of
exchange between currencies. The United Kingdom has voted to leave the European Union (popularly known as “Brexit”). The effect of Brexit is uncertain, and Brexit has and may continue to contribute to volatility in the prices of securities of
companies located in Europe and currency exchange rates, including the valuation of the euro and British pound in particular. Moreover, certain aspects of a particular non-U.S. economy may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in
important respects, such as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resources and self-sufficiency.
The notes are subject to currency exchange risk
Because the prices of the reference asset constituent stocks of the reference asset are converted into U.S. dollars by
the sponsor for the purposes of calculating the level of the reference asset, you will be exposed to currency exchange rate risk with respect to each of the currencies in which the reference asset constituent stocks trade. Your net exposure will
depend on the extent to which those currencies strengthen or weaken against the U.S. dollar and the relative weight of the reference asset constituent stocks denominated in each of those currencies. If, taking into account the relevant weighting,
the U.S. dollar strengthens against those currencies, the level of the reference asset will be adversely affected and consequently the payment at maturity of the notes, if any, may be reduced.
If you purchase your notes at a premium to the principal amount, the return on your investment
will be lower than the return on notes purchased at the principal amount and the impact of certain key terms of the notes will be negatively affected
The payment at maturity will not be adjusted based on the original issue price you pay for the notes. If you purchase
notes at a price that differs from the principal amount of the notes, then the return on your investment in such notes held to the maturity date will differ from, and may be substantially less than, the return on notes purchased at the principal
amount. If you purchase your notes at a premium to the principal amount and hold them to the maturity date, the return on your investment in the notes will be lower than it would have been had you purchased the notes at the principal amount or at a
discount to the principal amount. In addition, the impact of the maximum payment amount and the buffer level on the return on your investment will depend upon the price you pay for your notes relative to the principal amount. For example, if you
purchase your notes at a premium to the principal amount, the maximum payment amount will only permit a lower positive return on
P-19
your investment in the notes than would have been the case for notes purchased at the principal amount or a discount to the principal amount. Similarly, the buffer level, while still providing some protection for the return on the notes, will allow a greater percentage decrease in your investment in the notes than would have been the case for notes purchased at the principal amount or a discount to the principal amount.
The price at which the notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors
and may be substantially less than the amount for which they were originally purchased
The price at which the notes may be sold prior to maturity will depend on a number of factors. Some of these factors include, but are not limited to: (i) actual or anticipated changes in the level of the reference asset over the full term of the notes, (ii)
volatility of the level of the reference asset and the market’s perception of future volatility of the level of the reference asset, (iii) changes in interest rates generally, (iv) any actual or anticipated changes in our credit ratings or credit
spreads and (v) time remaining to maturity. In particular, because the provisions of the notes relating to the payment at maturity and the maximum payment amount behave like options, the value of the notes will vary in ways which are non-linear
and may not be intuitive.
Depending on the actual or anticipated level of the reference asset and other relevant factors, the market value
of the notes may decrease and you may receive substantially less than 100% of the issue price if you sell your notes prior to maturity.
See “Additional Risk Factors Specific to the Notes—The Market Value of Your Notes May Be Influenced by Many
Unpredictable Factors” beginning on page PS-7 of the accompanying product prospectus supplement.
The notes lack liquidity
The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange or automated quotation system. Therefore, there may be
little or no secondary market for the notes. SCUSA and any other affiliates of the Bank and GS&Co. may, but are not obligated to, make a market in the notes. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow
you to trade or sell the notes easily. Because we do not expect that other broker-dealers will participate significantly in the secondary market for the notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your notes is likely to depend on the
price, if any, at which SCUSA and GS&Co. are willing to purchase the notes from you. If at any time SCUSA and GS&Co. were not to make a market in the notes, it is likely that there would be no secondary market for the notes. Accordingly,
you should be willing to hold your notes to maturity.
Hedging activities by the Bank and GS&Co. may negatively impact investors in the notes and
cause our respective interests and those of our clients and counterparties to be contrary to those of investors in the notes
The Bank, GS&Co. or one or more of our or their respective affiliates has hedged or expects to hedge the
obligations under the notes by purchasing futures and/or other instruments linked to the reference asset. The Bank, GS&Co. or one or more of our or their respective affiliates also expects to adjust the hedge by, among other things, purchasing or
selling any of the foregoing, and perhaps other instruments linked to the reference asset and/or one or more of the reference asset constituent stocks, at any time and from time to time, and to unwind the hedge by selling any of the foregoing on or
before the valuation date.
The Bank, GS&Co. or one or more of our or their respective affiliates may also enter into, adjust and unwind
hedging transactions relating to other equity-linked notes whose returns are linked to changes in the level or price of the reference asset or the reference asset constituent stocks. Any of these hedging activities may adversely affect the level of
the reference asset—directly or indirectly by affecting the price of the reference asset constituent stocks — and therefore the market value of the notes and the amount you will receive, if any, on the notes. Because the dealer, or an affiliate, from
which you purchase notes is to conduct hedging activities for us in connection with the notes, that dealer or affiliate may profit in connection with such hedging activities and such profit, if any, will be in addition to the compensation that the
dealer, or an affiliate, receives for the sale of the notes to you. You should be aware that the potential to earn fees in connection with hedging activities may create a further incentive for the dealer to sell the notes to you in addition to the
compensation they would receive for the sale of the notes. In addition, you should expect that these transactions will cause the Bank, GS&Co. or our or their respective affiliates, or our respective clients or counterparties, to have economic
interests and incentives that do not align with, and that may be directly contrary to, those of an investor in the notes. The Bank, GS&Co. or our or their respective affiliates will have no obligation to take, refrain from taking or cease taking
any action with respect to these transactions based on the potential effect on an investor in the notes, and may receive substantial returns with respect to these hedging activities while the value of the notes may decline.
P-20
The Bank, SCUSA, GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates regularly provide services
to, or otherwise have business relationships with, a broad client base, which has included and may include us and the issuers of the reference asset constituent stocks and the market activities by the Bank, GS&Co. or our or their respective
affiliates for our own account or for our clients could negatively impact investors in the notes
We, GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates regularly provide a wide range of financial services,
including financial advisory, investment advisory and transactional services to a substantial and diversified client base. As such, we each may act as an investor, investment banker, research provider, investment manager, investment advisor,
market maker, trader, prime broker or lender. In those and other capacities, we, GS&Co. and/or our or their respective affiliates purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments, actively trade securities (including the notes or other
securities that we have issued), the reference asset constituent stocks, derivatives, loans, credit default swaps, indices, baskets and other financial instruments and products for our own accounts or for the accounts of our customers, and we
will have other direct or indirect interests, in those securities and in other markets that may not be consistent with your interests and may adversely affect the level of the reference asset and/or the value of the notes. You should assume that
we or they will, at present or in the future, provide such services or otherwise engage in transactions with, among others, us and the issuers of the reference asset constituent stocks, or transact in securities or instruments or with parties
that are directly or indirectly related to these entities. These services could include making loans to or equity investments in those companies, providing financial advisory or other investment banking services, or issuing research reports. Any
of these financial market activities may, individually or in the aggregate, have an adverse effect on the level of the reference asset and the market for your notes, and you should expect that our interests and those of GS&Co. and/or our or
their respective affiliates, clients or counterparties, will at times be adverse to those of investors in the notes.
You should expect that we, GS&Co., and our or their respective affiliates, in providing these services,
engaging in such transactions, or acting for our own accounts, may take actions that have direct or indirect effects on the notes or other securities that we may issue, the reference asset constituent stocks or other securities or instruments
similar to or linked to the foregoing, and that such actions could be adverse to the interests of investors in the notes. In addition, in connection with these activities, certain personnel within us, GS&Co. or our or their respective
affiliates may have access to confidential material non-public information about these parties that would not be disclosed to investors in the notes.
We, GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates regularly offer a wide array of securities, financial
instruments and other products into the marketplace, including existing or new products that are similar to the notes or other securities that we may issue, the reference asset constituent stocks or other securities or instruments similar to or
linked to the foregoing. Investors in the notes should expect that the Bank, GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates offer securities, financial instruments, and other products that may compete with the notes for liquidity or otherwise.
Other investors in the notes may not have the same interests as you
The interests of other investors may, in some circumstances, be adverse to your interests. Other investors may make
requests or recommendations to us, SCUSA or GS&Co. regarding the establishment of transactions on terms that are adverse to your interests, and investors in the notes are not required to take into account the interests of any other investor in
exercising remedies, voting or other rights in their capacity as noteholders. Further, other investors may enter into market transactions with respect to the notes, assets that are the same or similar to the notes, assets referenced by the notes
(such as stocks or stock indices) or other similar assets or securities which may adversely impact the market for or value of your notes. For example, an investor could take a short position (directly or indirectly through derivative transactions) in
respect of securities similar to your notes or in respect of the reference asset.
The calculation agent can postpone the valuation date for the notes if a market disruption event
with respect to the reference asset occurs
If the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, that, on a day that would otherwise be the valuation
date, a market disruption event with respect to the reference asset has occurred or is continuing for the reference asset, the valuation date will be postponed until the first following trading day on which no market disruption event occurs or is
continuing, although the valuation date will not be postponed by more than seven scheduled trading days. Moreover, if the valuation date is postponed to the last possible day, but a market disruption event occurs or is continuing on that day, that
day will nevertheless be the valuation date, and the calculation agent will determine the applicable final level that must be used to determine the payment at maturity. See “General Terms of the Notes—Unavailability of the Level of the Reference
Asset on a Valuation Date” beginning on page PS-19 and “General Terms of the Notes—Market Disruption Events” beginning on page PS-20 in the accompanying product prospectus supplement.
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There is no affiliation between the issuers of any reference asset constituent stock or the sponsor and us,
SCUSA or GS&Co.
The Bank, SCUSA, GS&Co. and our or their respective affiliates may currently, or from time to time in the
future, engage in business with the issuers of the reference asset constituent stocks or the sponsor. None of the Bank, SCUSA, GS&Co. or any of our or their respective affiliates are affiliated with the issuer of any reference asset
constituent stock or the sponsor nor have they participated in the preparation of any publicly available information or made any “due diligence” investigation or inquiry with respect to the reference asset or the reference asset
constituent stocks. You should make your own investigation into the reference asset and the issuers of the reference asset constituent stocks. See the section below entitled “Information Regarding the Reference Asset” in this pricing
supplement for additional information about the reference asset.
Uncertain tax treatment
Significant aspects of the tax treatment of the notes are uncertain. You should
consult your tax advisor about your tax situation. See “Certain Canadian Income Tax Consequences” and “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in this pricing supplement.
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| INFORMATION REGARDING THE REFERENCE ASSET |
The MSCI EAFE® Index
The reference asset is the MSCI EAFE® Index (Bloomberg ticker “MXEA”). All information contained
in this pricing supplement regarding the reference asset, including, without limitation, its makeup, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources. Additional information on the reference
asset is available on the MSCI website: www.msci.com. We are not incorporating by reference the website or any material included on that website in this pricing supplement. In this pricing supplement, unless the context requires otherwise, references
to the reference asset will include any successor index to the reference asset and references to MSCI will include any successor thereto. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by MSCI. MSCI has no obligation to continue
to publish, and may discontinue publication of, the reference asset.
Description of the Reference Asset
The MSCI EAFE® Index is a stock index calculated, published and
disseminated daily by MSCI Inc., which we refer to as “MSCI”, through numerous data vendors, on the MSCI website and in real time on Bloomberg and Reuters Limited.
The MSCI EAFE® Index is a free float adjusted market capitalization index and
is part of the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices, the methodology of which is described below. The index is considered a “standard” index, which means it consists of all eligible large capitalization and mid-capitalization stocks, as determined
by MSCI, in the relevant market. Additional information about the MSCI Global Investable Market Indices is available on the following website: msci.com. We are not
incorporating by reference these websites, the sources listed above or any material they include in this pricing supplement.
The MSCI EAFE® Index is intended to provide performance benchmarks for the
developed equity markets in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The
constituent stocks of the MSCI EAFE® Index are derived from the constituent stocks in the 21 MSCI standard single country indices for the developed market countries listed above. The MSCI EAFE® Index is calculated in U.S.
dollars. The MSCI EAFE® Index has a base date of December 31, 1969.
Index Stock Weighting by Country
as of February 28, 2019
|
Country:
|
Percentage
(%)*
|
|
|
France
|
11.21%
|
|
|
Germany
|
8.74%
|
|
|
Japan
|
24.08%
|
|
|
Switzerland
|
8.77%
|
|
|
United Kingdom
|
17.03%
|
|
|
Other
|
30.16%
|
*Information provided by MSCI. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
MSCI divides the companies included in the MSCI EAFE® Index into eleven Global Industry
Classification Sectors: Communication Services, Consumer Discretionary, Consumer Staples, Energy, Financials, Health Care, Industrials, Information Technology, Materials, Real Estate and Utilities.
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Index Stock Weighting by Sector
as of February 28, 2019
|
Sector**
|
Percentage
(%)*
|
|
Communication Services
|
5.43%
|
|
Consumer Discretionary
|
11.19%
|
|
Consumer Staples
|
11.35%
|
|
Energy
|
5.86%
|
|
Financials
|
19.55%
|
|
Health Care
|
11.16%
|
|
Industrials
|
14.42%
|
|
Information Technology
|
6.12%
|
|
Materials
|
7.50%
|
|
Real Estate
|
3.73%
|
|
Utilities
|
3.70%
|
* Information provided by MSCI. Percentages may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
** Sector designations are determined by the sponsor using criteria it has selected or developed. Index sponsors may use very
different standards for determining sector designations. In addition, many companies operate in a number of sectors, but are listed in only one sector and the basis on which that sector is selected may also differ. As a result, sector comparisons
between indices with different index sponsors may reflect differences in methodology as well as actual differences in the sector composition of the indices. As of the close of business on September 21, 2018, MSCI and S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC
updated the Global Industry Classification Sector structure. Among other things, the update broadened the Telecommunications Services sector and renamed it the Communication Services sector. The renamed sector includes the previously existing
Telecommunication Services Industry group, as well as the Media Industry group, which was moved from the Consumer Discretionary sector and renamed the Media & Entertainment Industry group. The Media & Entertainment Industry group contains
three industries: Media, Entertainment and Interactive Media & Services. The Media industry continues to consist of the Advertising, Broadcasting, Cable & Satellite and Publishing sub-industries. The Entertainment industry contains the Movies
& Entertainment sub-industry (which includes online entertainment streaming companies in addition to companies previously classified in such industry prior to September 21, 2018) and the Interactive Home Entertainment sub-industry (which includes
companies previously classified in the Home Entertainment Software sub-industry prior to September 21, 2018 (when the Home Entertainment Software sub-industry was a sub-industry in the Information Technology sector)), as well as producers of
interactive gaming products, including mobile gaming applications). The Interactive Media & Services industry and sub-industry includes companies engaged in content and information creation or distribution through proprietary platforms, where
revenues are derived primarily through pay-per-click advertisements, and includes search engines, social media and networking platforms, online classifieds and online review companies. The Global Industry Classification Sector structure changes were
effective for the MSCI EAFE® Index as of the open of business on December 3, 2018 to coincide with the November 2018 semi-annual index review.
Construction of the MSCI EAFE® Index
MSCI undertakes an index construction process, which involves: (i) defining the equity universe; (ii) determining the market
investable equity universe for each market; (iii) determining market capitalization size segments for each market; (iv) applying index continuity rules for the standard index; (v) creating style segments within each size segment within each market;
and (vi) classifying securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard. The index construction methodology differs in some cases depending on whether the relevant market is considered a developed market or an emerging market. The MSCI EAFE®
Index is a developed market index. The MSCI EAFE® Index is a standard index, meaning that only securities that would qualify for inclusion in a large cap index or a mid cap index will be included as described below.
Defining the Equity Universe
(i) Identifying Eligible Equity Securities: The equity universe initially
looks at securities listed in any of the countries in the MSCI Global Index series, which will be classified as either “developed markets” or “emerging markets”. All listed equity securities, including real estate investment trusts and certain
income trusts in Canada are eligible for inclusion in the equity universe. Limited partnerships, limited liability companies and business trusts, which are listed in the U.S. and are
P-24
(ii) Country Classification of Eligible Securities: Each company and its
securities (i.e., share classes) are classified in one and only one country, which allows for a distinctive sorting of each company by its respective
country.
Determining the Market Investable Equity Universes
A market investable equity universe for a market is derived by (i) identifying eligible
listings for each security in the equity universe; and (ii) applying investability screens to individual companies and securities in the equity universe that are classified in that market. A market is generally equivalent to a single country. The
global investable equity universe is the aggregation of all market investable equity universes.
(i) Identifying
Eligible Listings: A security may have a listing in the country where it is classified (a “local listing”) and/or in a different country (a “foreign listing”). A security may be represented by either a local listing or a foreign listing (including a
depositary receipt) in the global investable equity universe. A security may be represented by a foreign listing only if the security is classified in a country that meets the foreign listing materiality requirement (as described below), and the
security’s foreign listing is traded on an eligible stock exchange of a developed market country if the security is classified in a developed market country or, if the security is classified in an emerging market country, an eligible stock exchange
of a developed market country or an emerging market country.
In order for a country to meet the foreign listing materiality requirement, MSCI determines all
securities represented by a foreign listing that would be included in the country’s MSCI Country Investable Market Index if foreign listings were eligible from that country. The aggregate free-float adjusted market capitalization for all such
securities should represent at least (i) 5% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the relevant MSCI Country Investable Market Index and (ii) 0.05% of the free-float adjusted market capitalization of the MSCI ACWI Investable Market
Index. If a country does not meet the foreign listing materiality requirement, then securities in that country may not be represented by a foreign listing in the global investable equity universe.
(ii) Applying
Investability Screens: The investability screens used to determine the investable equity universe in each market are:
(a) Equity Universe Minimum Size Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the
company level. In order to be included in a market investable equity universe, a company must have the required minimum full market capitalization. The equity universe minimum size requirement applies to companies in all markets and is derived as
follows:
| ● |
First, the companies in the developed market equity universe are sorted in descending order of full market capitalization and the
cumulative coverage of the free float-adjusted market capitalization of the developed market equity universe is calculated for each company. Each company’s free float-adjusted market capitalization is represented by the aggregation of the
free float-adjusted market capitalization of the securities of that company in the equity universe.
|
|
●
|
Second, when the cumulative free float-adjusted market capitalization coverage of 99% of the sorted equity universe is achieved,
by adding each company’s free float-adjusted market capitalization in descending order, the full market capitalization of the company that reaches the 99% threshold defines the equity universe minimum size requirement.
|
|
●
|
The rank of this company by descending order of full market capitalization within the developed market equity universe is noted,
and will be used in determining the equity universe minimum size requirement at the next rebalance.
|
P-25
As of November 2017, the equity universe minimum size requirement was set at US$261,000,000. Companies with a full market
capitalization below this level are not included in any market investable equity universe. The equity universe minimum size requirement is reviewed and, if necessary, revised at each semi-annual index review, described below.
(b) Equity Universe Minimum Free Float-Adjusted Market Capitalization
Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have a free float-adjusted market capitalization equal to or higher than 50%
of the equity universe minimum size requirement.
(c) Minimum Liquidity Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the
individual security level. To be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, a security must have at least one eligible listing that has adequate liquidity as measured by its 12-month and 3-month annualized traded value ratio.
This measure attempts to mitigate the impact of extreme daily trading volumes and takes into account the free float-adjusted market capitalization of securities. A minimum liquidity level of 20% of the 3-month annualized trade value ratio and 90%
of 3-month frequency of trading over the last 4 consecutive quarters, as well as 20% of the 12-month annualized trade value ratio, are required for inclusion of a security in a market investable equity universe of a developed market.
Only one listing per security may be included in the market
investable equity universe. In instances where a security has two or more eligible listings that meet the above liquidity requirements, then the following priority rules are used to determine which listing will be used for potential inclusion of
the security in the market investable equity universe:
(1) Local listing (if the security has two or more local
listings, then the listing with the highest 3-month ATVR will be used).
(2) Foreign listing in the same geographical region (MSCI
classifies markets into three main geographical regions: EMEA, Asia Pacific and Americas. If the security has several listings in the same geographical region, then the listing with the highest 3-month ATVR will be used).
(3) Foreign listing in a different geographical region (if
the security has several listings in a different geographical region, then the listing with the highest 3-month ATVR will be used).
Due to liquidity concerns relating to securities trading at very high
stock prices, a security that is currently not a constituent of a MSCI Global Investable Markets Index that is trading at a stock price above US$10,000 will fail the liquidity screening and will not be included in any market investable equity
universe.
(d) Global Minimum Foreign Inclusion Factor Requirement: This
investability screen is applied at the individual security level. To determine the free float of a security, MSCI considers the proportion of shares of such security available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors.
In practice, limitations on the investment opportunities for international investors include: strategic stakes in a company held by private or public shareholders whose investment objective indicates that the shares held are not likely to be
available in the market; limits on the proportion of a security’s share capital authorized for purchase by non-domestic investors; or other foreign investment restrictions which materially limit the ability of foreign investors to freely invest
in a particular equity market, sector or security.
MSCI will then derive a “foreign inclusion factor” for the company that reflects the
proportion of shares outstanding that is available for purchase in the public equity markets by international investors. MSCI will then “float-adjust” the weight of each constituent company in an index by the company’s foreign inclusion factor.
Typically, securities with a free float adjustment ratio of less than 0.15 will not be eligible for inclusion in the MSCI EAFE® Index.
Once the free float factor has been determined for a security, the security’s
total market capitalization is then adjusted by such free float factor, resulting in the free float-adjusted market capitalization figure for the security.
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(e) Minimum
Length of Trading Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For an initial public offering to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the new issue must have started trading at
least three months before the implementation of a semi-annual index review. This requirement is applicable to small new issues in all markets. Large initial public offerings are not subject to the minimum length of trading requirement and may be
included in a market investable equity universe and a standard index, such as the MSCI EAFE® Index, outside of a quarterly or semi-annual index review.
(f) Minimum
Foreign Room Requirement: This investability screen is applied at the individual security level. For a security that is subject to a foreign ownership limit to be eligible for inclusion in a market investable equity universe, the proportion of
shares still available to foreign investors relative to the maximum allowed (referred to as “foreign room”) must be at least 15%.
Defining Market Capitalization Size Segments for Each Market
Once a market investable equity universe is defined, it is segmented into the following size-based indices:
|
|
●
|
Investable Market Index (Large Cap + Mid Cap + Small Cap) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Standard Index (Large Cap + Mid Cap) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Large Cap Index |
|
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Mid Cap Index |
|
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
Small Cap Index |
|
|
|
|
Creating the size segment indices in each market involves the following steps:
(i) defining the market coverage target range for each size segment; (ii) determining the global minimum size range for each size segment; (iii) determining the market size segment cutoffs and associated segment number of companies; (iv) assigning
companies to the size segments; and (v) applying final size-segment investability requirements. For developed market indices, the market coverage for a standard index is 85%. As of November 2017, the global minimum size range for a developed market
standard index is a full market capitalization of USD 3.05 billion to USD 7.02 billion.
Index Continuity Rules for Standard Indices
In order to achieve index continuity, as well as provide some basic level of
diversification within a market index, notwithstanding the effect of other index construction rules, a minimum number of five constituents will be maintained for a developed market standard index and a minimum number of three constituents will be
maintained for an emerging market standard index, and involves the following steps:
|
●
|
If after the application of the index construction
methodology, a developed market standard index contains fewer than five securities or an emerging market standard index contains fewer than three securities, then the largest securities by free float-adjusted market capitalization are
added to the index in order to reach the minimum number of required constituents.
|
|
●
|
At subsequent index reviews, if the minimum number
of securities described above is not met, then after the market investable equity universe is identified, the securities are ranked by free float-adjusted market capitalization, however, in order to increase stability the free
float-adjusted market capitalization of the existing index constituents (prior to review) is multiplied by 1.50, and securities are added until the desired minimum number of securities is reached.
|
All securities in the investable equity universe are classified into value or growth segments. The
classification of a security into the value or growth segment is used by MSCI to construct additional indices.
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Classifying Securities under the Global Industry Classification Standard
All securities in the global investable equity universe are assigned to the
industry that best describes their business activities. The GICS classification of each security is used by MSCI to construct additional indices.
Calculation Methodology for the MSCI EAFE®
Index
Price Return Methodology
The performance of the MSCI EAFE® Index is a free float weighted
average of the U.S. dollar values of its component securities.
Prices used to calculate the component securities are the official exchange
closing prices or prices accepted as such in the relevant market. In the case of a market closure, or if a security does not trade on a specific day or during a specific period, MSCI carries forward the previous day’s price (or latest
available closing price). In the event of a market outage resulting in any component security price to be unavailable, MSCI will generally use the last reported price for such component security for the purpose of performance calculation
unless MSCI determines that another price is more appropriate based on the circumstances. Closing prices are converted into U.S. dollars, as applicable, using the closing spot exchange rates calculated by WM/Reuters at 4:00 P.M. London
Time.
Maintenance of the MSCI EAFE® Index
In order to maintain the representativeness of the MSCI EAFE®
Index, structural changes to the index as a whole may be made by adding or deleting component securities. Currently, such changes in the MSCI EAFE® Index may generally only be made on four dates throughout the year: after the
close of the last business day of each February, May, August and November.
Each country index is maintained with the objective of reflecting, on a
timely basis, the evolution of the underlying equity markets. In maintaining each component country index, emphasis is also placed on its continuity, continuous investability of constituents and replicability of the index and on index
stability and minimizing turnover.
MSCI classifies index maintenance in three broad categories. The first
consists of ongoing event related changes, such as mergers and acquisitions, which are generally implemented in the country indices in which they occur. The second category consists of quarterly index reviews, aimed at promptly reflecting
other significant market events. The third category consists of semi-annual index reviews that systematically re-assess the various dimensions of the equity universe.
Ongoing event-related changes to the country indices are the result of
mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, bankruptcies, reorganizations and other similar corporate events. They can also result from capital reorganizations in the form of rights issues, stock bonus issues, public placements and other similar
corporate actions that take place on a continuing basis. MSCI will remove from the index as soon as practicable securities of companies that file for bankruptcy or other protection from their creditors, that are suspended and for which a
return to normal business activity and trading is unlikely in the near future, or that fail stock exchange listing requirements with a delisting announcement. Securities may also be considered for early deletion in other significant cases,
such as decreases in free float and foreign ownership limits, or when a constituent company acquires or merges with a non-constituent company or spins-off another company. In practice, when a constituent company is involved in a corporate
event which results in a significant decrease in the company’s free float-adjusted market capitalization or the company decreases its foreign inclusion factor to below 0.15, the securities of that constituent company are considered for
early deletion from the indices simultaneously with the event unless, in either case, it is a standard index constituent with a minimum free float-adjusted market capitalization that is not at least two-thirds of one-half of the standard
index interim size segment cut-off. Share conversions may also give rise to an early deletion. All changes resulting from corporate events are announced prior to their implementation, provided all necessary information on the event is
available.
MSCI’s quarterly index review process is designed to ensure that the country
indices continue to be an accurate reflection of evolving equity markets. This goal is achieved by timely reflecting significant market driven changes that were not captured in each index at the time of their actual occurrence and that
should not wait until the semi-annual index review due to their importance. These quarterly index reviews may result in additions and deletions of component securities from a country index (or a security being removed from one country
listing and represented by a different country listing) and
P-28
changes in “foreign
inclusion factors” and in number of shares. Additions and deletions to component securities may result from: the addition of large companies that did not meet the minimum size criterion for inclusion at the time of their initial public offering
or secondary offering; the replacement of companies which are no longer suitable industry representatives; the deletion of securities whose overall free float has fallen to less than 15% and that do not meet specified criteria; the deletion
of securities that have become very small or illiquid; and the addition or deletion of securities as a result of other market events. Significant changes in free float estimates and corresponding changes in the foreign inclusion factor for
component securities may result from: block sales, block buys, secondary offerings and transactions made by way of immediate book-building that did not meet the requirements for implementation at the time of such event; corporate events
that should have been implemented at the time of such event but could not be reflected immediately due to lack of publicly available details at the time of the event; exercise of IPO over-allotment options which result in an increase in
free float; increases in foreign ownership limits; decreases in foreign ownership limits which did not require foreign investors to immediately sell shares in the market; re-estimates of free float figures resulting from the
reclassification of shareholders from strategic to non-strategic, and vice versa; the end of lock-up periods or expiration of loyalty incentives for non-strategic shareholders; conversion of a non-index constituent share class or an
unlisted line of shares which has an impact on index constituents; and acquisition by shares of non-listed companies or assets. However, no changes in foreign inclusion factors are implemented for any of the above events if the change in
free float estimate is less than 1%, except in cases of correction. Small changes in the number of shares resulting from, for example, exercise of options or warrants, conversion of convertible bonds or other instruments, conversion of a
non-index constituent share class or an unlisted line of shares which has an impact on index constituents, periodic conversion of a share class into another share class, exercise of over-allotment options, exercise of share buybacks, or the
cancellation of shares, are generally updated at the quarterly index review rather than at the time of the event. The results of the quarterly index reviews are announced at least two weeks in advance of their effective implementation dates
as of the close of the last business day of February and August. MSCI has noted that consistency is a factor in maintaining each component country index.
MSCI’s semi-annual index review is designed to systematically reassess the
component securities of the index. During each semi-annual index review, the universe of component securities is updated and the global minimum size range for the index is recalculated, which is based on the full market capitalization and
the cumulative free float-adjusted market capitalization coverage of each security that is eligible to be included in the index. The following index maintenance activities, among others, are undertaken during each semi-annual index review:
the list of countries in which securities may be represented by foreign listings is reviewed; the component securities are updated by identifying new equity securities that were not part of the index at the time of the previous quarterly
index review; the minimum size requirement for the index is updated and new companies are evaluated relative to the new minimum size requirement; existing component securities that do not meet the minimum liquidity requirements of the index
may be removed (or, with respect to any such security that has other listings, a determination is made as to whether any such listing can be used to represent the security in the market investable universe); and changes in “foreign
inclusion factors” are implemented (provided the change in free float is greater than 1%, except in cases of correction). During a semi-annual index review, component securities may be added or deleted from a country index for a range of
reasons, including the reasons discussed with respect to component securities changes during quarterly index reviews as discussed above. Foreign listings may become eligible to represent securities only from the countries that met the
foreign listing materiality requirement during the previous semi-annual index review (this requirement is applied only to countries that do not yet include foreign listed securities). Once a country meets the foreign listing materiality
requirement at a given semi-annual index review, foreign listings will remain eligible for such country even if the foreign listing materiality requirements are not met in the future.
The results of the semi-annual index reviews are announced at least two
weeks in advance of their effective implementation date as of the close of the last business day of May and November.
Index maintenance also includes monitoring and completing adjustments for
share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to company restructurings or spin-offs.
These guidelines and the policies implementing the guidelines are the
responsibility of, and, ultimately, subject to adjustment by, MSCI.
P-29
License Agreement with MSCI Inc. (“MSCI”).
We have entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement with MSCI, which allows us and our
affiliates, in exchange for a fee, to use the MSCI EAFE® Index in connection with the issuance of certain securities, including the notes. We are not affiliated with MSCI; the only relationship between MSCI and us is the licensing of
the use of the MSCI EAFE® Index and trademarks related to the MSCI EAFE® Index. All rights to the MSCI EAFE® Index are owned by MSCI, the publisher of the MSCI EAFE® Index.
THE NOTES ARE NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY MSCI INC. (“MSCI”), ANY AFFILIATE OF MSCI OR ANY OTHER PARTY
INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX. THE MSCI INDICES ARE THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF MSCI. MSCI AND THE MSCI INDEX NAMES ARE SERVICE MARK(S) OF MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES AND ARE LICENSED FOR USE FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES BY
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP, INC. AND ARE EXPECTED TO BE SUBLICENSED TO THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA (COLLECTIVELY, THE “LICENSEE”). NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX
MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE OWNERS OF THE NOTES OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN FINANCIAL SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN THE NOTES PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF ANY MSCI
INDEX TO TRACK CORRESPONDING STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE. MSCI OR ITS AFFILIATES ARE THE LICENSORS OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE MSCI INDICES WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY MSCI WITHOUT REGARD
TO THE NOTES OR THE ISSUER OR OWNER OF THE NOTES. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE ISSUER OR OWNERS OF THE NOTES
INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE MSCI INDICES. NEITHER MSCI, ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OR HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE
DETERMINATION OF THE TIMING OF, PRICES AT, OR QUANTITIES OF THE NOTES TO BE ISSUED OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY WHICH THE NOTES ARE REDEEMABLE FOR CASH. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY
INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, THE MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAS ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY TO THE OWNERS OF THE NOTES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING OR OFFERING OF THE NOTES.
ALTHOUGH MSCI SHALL OBTAIN INFORMATION FOR INCLUSION IN OR FOR USE IN THE CALCULATION OF THE MSCI INDICES FROM SOURCES
WHICH MSCI CONSIDERS RELIABLE, NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX WARRANTS OR GUARANTEES THE ORIGINALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR
ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY LICENSEE, LICENSEE’S
CUSTOMERS OR COUNTERPARTIES, ISSUER OF THE NOTES, OWNERS OF THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY, FROM THE USE OF ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED HEREUNDER OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. NEITHER
MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS OR INTERRUPTIONS OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ANY MSCI INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED
THEREIN. FURTHER, NEITHER MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES NOR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, AND MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES AND ANY OTHER PARTY
INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO ANY MSCI INDEX AND ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF
THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MSCI, ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES OR ANY OTHER PARTY INVOLVED IN, OR RELATED TO, MAKING OR COMPILING ANY MSCI INDEX HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES
(INCLUDING LOST PROFITS) EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
P-30
Historical Information
We obtained the information regarding the historical performance of the reference asset in the table and
graph below from Bloomberg. Bloomberg reports the closing level of the reference asset to fewer decimal places than the sponsor.
We have not undertaken an independent review or due diligence of the information. The historical
performance of the reference asset should not be taken as an indication of its future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the final level of the reference asset. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the reference asset
will result in any positive return on your initial investment.
The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low closing levels for the reference asset, based
on daily closing levels. The closing level of the reference asset on March 19, 2019 was 1,907.49. Past performance of the reference
asset is not indicative of the future performance of the reference asset.
|
Quarter Begin
|
Quarter End
|
Quarterly High
|
Quarterly Low
|
Quarterly Close
|
|
1/1/2014
|
3/31/2014
|
1,940.23
|
1,796.86
|
1,915.69
|
|
4/1/2014
|
6/30/2014
|
1,992.69
|
1,882.24
|
1,972.12
|
|
7/1/2014
|
9/30/2014
|
1,995.49
|
1,846.08
|
1,846.08
|
|
10/1/2014
|
12/31/2014
|
1,848.79
|
1,714.64
|
1,774.89
|
|
1/1/2015
|
3/31/2015
|
1,900.90
|
1,697.01
|
1,849.34
|
|
4/1/2015
|
6/30/2015
|
1,949.49
|
1,842.46
|
1,842.46
|
|
7/1/2015
|
9/30/2015
|
1,894.42
|
1,609.50
|
1,644.40
|
|
10/1/2015
|
12/31/2015
|
1,779.25
|
1,654.98
|
1,716.28
|
|
1/1/2016
|
3/31/2016
|
1,716.28
|
1,492.43
|
1,652.04
|
|
4/1/2016
|
6/30/2016
|
1,716.51
|
1,520.94
|
1,608.45
|
|
7/1/2016
|
9/30/2016
|
1,734.72
|
1,573.30
|
1,701.69
|
|
10/1/2016
|
12/31/2016
|
1,704.84
|
1,614.17
|
1,684.00
|
|
1/1/2017
|
3/31/2017
|
1,812.06
|
1,676.93
|
1,792.98
|
|
4/1/2017
|
6/30/2017
|
1,916.37
|
1,774.47
|
1,883.19
|
|
7/1/2017
|
9/30/2017
|
1,981.49
|
1,874.10
|
1,973.81
|
|
10/1/2017
|
12/31/2017
|
2,050.79
|
1,971.41
|
2,050.79
|
|
1/1/2018
|
3/31/2018
|
2,186.65
|
1,989.61
|
2,005.67
|
|
4/1/2018
|
6/30/2018
|
2,066.80
|
1,938.95
|
1,958.64
|
|
7/1/2018
|
9/30/2018
|
2,011.48
|
1,905.44
|
1,973.60
|
|
10/1/2018
|
12/31/2018
|
1,970.26
|
1,683.36
|
1,719.88
|
|
1/1/2019
|
3/19/2019*
|
1,907.49
|
1,708.59
|
1,907.49
|
|
*
|
As of the date of this pricing supplement, available information for the first calendar quarter of 2019 includes data for the
period from January 1, 2019 through March 19, 2019. Accordingly, the ‘‘Quarterly High,’’ ‘‘Quarterly Low’’ and ‘‘Quarterly Close’’ data indicated are for this shortened period only and do not reflect complete data for the first calendar
quarter of 2019.
|
P-31
The graph below illustrates the performance of the reference asset from January 1, 2009 through March 19, 2019. Past performance of the reference asset is not indicative of the future performance of the reference asset.
Historical Performance of the MSCI EAFE® Index
P-32
|
SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
|
SCUSA, our affiliate, has agreed to purchase the notes at the principal amount and, as part of the distribution of
the notes, has agreed to sell the notes to GS&Co. at a discount reflecting commissions of $10.80 per $1,000 principal amount of notes. The commissions per $1,000 principal amount are comprised of $2.50 of fees and $8.30 of selling commission. In
accordance with the terms of a distributor accession letter, GS&Co. has been appointed as a distribution agent under the distribution agreement and may purchase notes from the Bank or its affiliates. At the time we issue the notes, we will enter
into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with GS&Co. or one of its affiliates.
In addition, SCUSA, GS&Co. and their respective affiliates or agents may use the accompanying product
prospectus supplement to which this pricing supplement relates in market-making transactions after the initial sale of the notes. While SCUSA and GS&Co. may make markets in the notes, they are under no obligation to do so and may discontinue any
market-making activities at any time without notice. See the sections titled “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and accompanying product prospectus supplement.
The price at which you purchase the notes includes costs that the Bank, GS&Co. or our or their
respective affiliates expect to incur and profits that the Bank, GS&Co, or our or their respective affiliates expect to realize in connection with hedging activities related to the notes, as set forth above. These costs and profits will likely
reduce the secondary market price, if any secondary market develops, for the notes. As a result, you may experience an immediate and substantial decline in the market value of your notes on the original issue date.
Conflicts of interest
Each of SCUSA and Scotia Capital Inc. is an affiliate of the Bank and, as such, has a ‘‘conflict of
interest’’ in this offering within the meaning of FINRA Rule 5121. In addition, the Bank will receive the gross proceeds from the initial public offering of the notes, thus creating an additional conflict of interest within the meaning of Rule 5121.
Consequently, the offering is being conducted in compliance with the provisions of Rule 5121. Neither SCUSA nor Scotia Capital Inc. is permitted to sell notes in this offering to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without the
prior specific written approval of the account holder.
SCUSA, GS&Co., and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in
various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. SCUSA, GS&Co., and
their respective affiliates have, from time to time, performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory and investment banking services for the Bank, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.
In the ordinary course of their various business activities, SCUSA, GS&Co., and their respective
affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers,
and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the Bank. SCUSA, GS&Co., and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in
respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.
Additionally, because the dealer from which you purchase the notes is to conduct hedging activities for
us in connection with the notes, that dealer may profit in connection with such hedging activities and such profit, if any, will be in addition to the compensation that the dealer receives for the sale of the notes to you. You should be aware that
the potential to earn fees in connection with hedging activities may create a further incentive for the dealer to sell the notes to you in addition to the compensation they would receive for the sale of the notes.
Prohibition of Sales to EEA Retail Investors
The notes are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made
available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended
(“MiFID II”); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive 2002/92/EC, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in
Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended. Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”), for offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in
P-33
the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor
in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.
|
CERTAIN CANADIAN INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
|
See “Supplemental Discussion of Canadian Tax Consequences” on page PS-27 of the product prospectus supplement.
| MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS |
The U.S. federal income tax
consequences of your investment in the notes are uncertain. There are no statutory provisions, regulations, published rulings or judicial decisions addressing the characterization for U.S. federal income tax purposes of securities with terms that are
substantially the same as the notes. No ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been sought as to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the notes, and the following discussion is not binding on the IRS.
Some of these tax consequences are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed discussion under “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” in the product prospectus supplement and to discuss the tax consequences of your particular
situation with your tax advisor. This discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury Department (the “Treasury”) regulations, rulings and decisions, in each case, as
available and in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Tax consequences under state, local and non-U.S. laws are not addressed herein.
U.S. Tax Treatment.
Pursuant to the terms of the notes, the Bank and you agree, in the absence of a statutory or regulatory change or an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to characterize your notes as prepaid derivative contracts with
respect to the reference asset. If your notes are so treated, you should generally recognize gain or loss upon the taxable disposition of your notes in an amount equal to the difference between the amount you receive at such time and the amount 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 (otherwise such gain or loss should be short-term capital gain or loss if held for one year or less). The
deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
Based on certain factual representations received from us, our special U.S. tax counsel, Cadwalader,
Wickersham & Taft LLP, is of the opinion that it would be reasonable to treat your notes in the manner described above. However, because there is no authority that specifically addresses the tax treatment of the notes, it is possible that your
notes could alternatively be treated for tax purposes as a single contingent payment debt instrument, or pursuant to some other characterization, such that the timing and character of your income from the notes could differ materially and adversely
from the treatment described above.
Notice 2008-2. In 2007,
the IRS released a notice that may affect the taxation of holders of the notes. According to Notice 2008-2, the IRS and the Treasury are actively considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the notes should be required to accrue ordinary
income on a current basis, and they are seeking taxpayer comments on the subject. It is not possible to determine what guidance they will ultimately issue, if any. It is possible, however, that under such guidance, holders of the notes will
ultimately be required to accrue income currently and this could be applied on a retroactive basis. The IRS and the Treasury are also considering other relevant issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated
as ordinary or capital, whether non-U.S. holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, and whether the special “constructive ownership rules” of Section 1260 of the Code should be applied to such
instruments.
Section 1297. We will not attempt to ascertain
whether any reference asset constituent stock would be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”) within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code. If any such entity were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax
consequences might apply upon the taxable disposition of a note. You should refer to information filed with the SEC or the equivalent governmental authority by such entities and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you if
any such entity is or becomes a PFIC.
P-34
Medicare Tax on Net
Investment Income. U.S. holders that are individuals, estates or certain trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” or “undistributed net investment income” in the case of an estate or
trust, which may include any income or gain with respect to the notes, to the extent of their net investment income or undistributed net investment income (as the case may be) that, when added to their other modified adjusted gross income, exceeds
$200,000 for an unmarried individual, $250,000 for a married taxpayer filing a joint return (or a surviving spouse), $125,000 for a married individual filing a separate return or the dollar amount at which the highest tax bracket begins for an estate
or trust. The 3.8% Medicare tax is determined in a different manner than the regular income tax. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of the 3.8% Medicare tax with respect to their investment in the notes.
Specified
Foreign Financial Assets. U.S. holders may be subject to reporting obligations with respect to their notes if they do not hold their notes in an account maintained by a financial institution and the aggregate value of their notes and
certain other “specified foreign financial assets” (applying certain attribution rules) exceeds an applicable threshold. Significant penalties can apply if a U.S. holder is required to disclose its notes and fails to do so.
Non-U.S.
Holders. If you are a non-U.S. holder, subject to Section 871(m) of the Code and FATCA, discussed below, you should generally not be subject to U.S. withholding tax with respect to payments on your notes or to generally applicable
information reporting and backup withholding requirements with respect to payments on your notes if you comply with certain certification and identification requirements as to your non-U.S. status including providing us (and/or the applicable
withholding agent) a properly executed and fully completed applicable IRS Form W-8. Subject to Section 871(m) of the Code, as discussed below, gain from taxable disposition of the notes generally will not be subject to U.S. tax unless (i) such gain
is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by you in the U.S., (ii) you are a non-resident alien individual and are present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of such taxable disposition and certain other
conditions are satisfied or (iii) you have certain other present or former connections with the U.S.
Section
871(m). A 30% withholding tax (which may be reduced by an applicable income tax treaty) is imposed under Section 871(m) of the Code on certain “dividend equivalents” paid or deemed paid to a non-U.S. holder with respect to a “specified
equity-linked instrument” that references one or more dividend-paying U.S. equity securities or indices containing U.S. equity securities. The withholding tax can apply even if the instrument does not provide for payments that reference dividends.
Treasury regulations provide that the withholding tax applies to all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on specified equity-linked instruments that have a delta of one (“delta-one specified equity-linked instruments”) issued after 2016 and to
all dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid on all other specified equity-linked instruments issued after 2018. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the Treasury and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the Treasury
regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalents paid or deemed paid will not apply to specified equity-linked instruments that are not delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and are issued before January 1, 2021.
Based on our determination that the notes are not “delta-one” with respect to the reference asset or any
reference asset constituent stocks, our special U.S. tax counsel is of the opinion that the notes should not be delta-one specified equity-linked instruments and thus should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. Our determination is
not binding on the IRS, and the IRS may disagree with this determination. Furthermore, the application of Section 871(m) of the Code will depend on our determinations made upon issuance of the notes. If withholding is required, we will not make
payments of any additional amounts.
Nevertheless, after issuance, it is possible that your notes could be deemed to be reissued for
tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the reference asset, any reference asset constituent stocks or your notes, and following such occurrence your notes could be treated as delta-one specified equity-linked instruments that are
subject to withholding on dividend equivalents. It is also possible that withholding tax or other tax under Section 871(m) of the Code could apply to the notes under these rules if you enter, or have entered, into certain other transactions in respect
of the reference asset, any reference asset constituent stocks or the notes. If you enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the reference asset, any reference asset constituent stocks or the notes, you should consult your tax
advisor regarding the application of Section 871(m) of the Code to your notes in the context of your other transactions.
Because of the uncertainty regarding the application of the 30% withholding tax on dividend equivalents to
the notes, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the potential application of Section 871(m) of the Code and the 30% withholding tax to an investment in the notes.
P-35
U.S. Federal Estate Tax
Treatment of Non-U.S. Holders. A note may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax if an individual non-U.S. holder holds the note at the time of his or her death. The gross estate of a non-U.S. holder domiciled outside the U.S. includes only
property situated in the U.S. Individual non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of holding the notes at death.
FATCA.
The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) was enacted on March 18, 2010, and imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (i.e., certain U.S.-source payments, including interest (and original issue discount), dividends, other
fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends) and “passthru payments” (i.e., certain payments attributable
to withholdable payments) made to certain foreign financial institutions (and certain of their affiliates) unless the payee foreign financial institution agrees (or is required), among other things, to disclose the identity of any U.S. individual
with an account at the institution (or the relevant affiliate) and to annually report certain information about such account. FATCA also requires withholding agents making withholdable payments to certain foreign entities that do not disclose the
name, address, and taxpayer identification number of any substantial U.S. owners (or do not certify that they do not have any substantial U.S. owners) to withhold tax at a rate of 30%. Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds
or credits of such taxes.
Pursuant to final and temporary Treasury regulations and other IRS guidance, the withholding and
reporting requirements under FATCA will generally apply to certain “withholdable payments”, will not apply to gross proceeds on a sale or disposition, and will apply to certain foreign passthru payments only to the extent that such payments are made
after the date that is two years after final regulations defining the term “foreign passthru payment” are published. If withholding is required, we (or the applicable paying agent) will not be required to pay additional amounts with respect to the
amounts so withheld. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the U.S. governing FATCA may be subject to different rules.
Investors should consult their own advisors about the application of FATCA, in particular if they may be
classified as financial institutions (or if they hold their notes through a foreign entity) under the FATCA rules.
Proposed
Legislation. In 2007, legislation was introduced in Congress that, if it had been enacted, would have required holders of notes purchased after the bill was enacted to accrue interest income over the term of the notes despite the fact that
there will be no interest payments over the term of the notes.
Furthermore, in 2013, the House Ways and Means Committee released in draft form certain proposed
legislation relating to financial instruments. If it had been enacted, the effect of this legislation generally would have been to require instruments such as the notes to be marked to market on an annual basis with all gains and losses to be treated
as ordinary, subject to certain exceptions.
It is impossible to predict whether any similar or identical bills will be enacted in the future, or
whether any such bill would affect the tax treatment of your notes. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the possible changes in law and their possible impact on the tax treatment of your notes.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S.
federal income tax consequences of an investment in the notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction (including that of the Bank and those of the issuers of the reference asset
constituent stocks).
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VALIDITY OF THE NOTES
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In the opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, as special counsel to the issuer, when the notes offered by this pricing supplement have been executed and issued by
the issuer and authenticated by the trustee pursuant to the indenture and delivered, paid for and sold as contemplated herein, the notes will be valid and binding obligations of the issuer, enforceable against the issuer in accordance with their
terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium, receivership or other laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether
enforcement is sought in a proceeding at law or in equity). This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the State of New York. Insofar as this opinion involves matters governed by Canadian law, Cadwalader, Wickersham
& Taft LLP has assumed, without independent inquiry or investigation, the validity of the matters opined on by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, Canadian legal counsel for the issuer, in its opinion expressed below. In addition, this opinion is
subject to customary assumptions about the trustee’s authorization, execution and delivery of the indenture and, with respect to the notes, authentication of the notes and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in
the opinion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP dated November 30, 2018 filed with the SEC as Exhibit 5.3 to the Registration Statement on Form F-3 on November 30, 2018.
In the opinion of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, the issue and sale of the notes has been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action of BNS in conformity with the Indenture, and when the notes have been duly executed, authenticated and issued in accordance with the Indenture, the notes will be validly issued and, to the extent validity of the notes is
a matter governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, or the laws of Canada applicable therein, and will be valid obligations of BNS, subject to the following limitations (i) the enforceability of the Indenture may be limited by the Canada
Deposit Insurance Corporation Act (Canada), the Winding-up and Restructuring Act (Canada) and bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, receivership, moratorium, arrangement or winding-up laws or other similar laws affecting the enforcement of
creditors’ rights generally; (ii) the enforceability of the Indenture may be limited by equitable principles, including the principle that equitable remedies such as specific performance and injunction may only be granted in the discretion of a
court of competent jurisdiction; (iii) pursuant to the Currency Act (Canada) a judgment by a Canadian court must be awarded in Canadian currency and that such judgment may be based on a rate of exchange in existence on a day other than the day of
payment; and (iv) the enforceability of the Indenture will be subject to the limitations contained in the Limitations Act, 2002 (Ontario), and such counsel expresses no opinion as to whether a court may find any provision of the Indenture to be
unenforceable as an attempt to vary or exclude a limitation period under that Act. This opinion is given as of the date hereof and is limited to the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada applicable thereto. In addition,
this opinion is subject to customary assumptions about the Trustees’ authorization, execution and delivery of the Indenture and the genuineness of signatures and certain factual matters, all as stated in the letter of such counsel dated November
30, 2018, which has been filed as Exhibit 5.2 to BNS’s Form F-3 filed with the SEC on November 30, 2018.
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