Bank of Nova Scotia FWP: 14.52% Contingent Income Notes Tied to TSLA
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) has filed a Free Writing Prospectus for Contingent Income Auto-Callable Securities linked to the common stock of Tesla, Inc. (TSLA), maturing on 21 Jul 2028. The notes are senior unsecured obligations of BNS and therefore subject to the bank’s credit risk.
Economic terms
- Denomination: $1,000 per note; minimum investment one note.
- Contingent coupon: $36.30 quarterly (14.52% p.a.) paid only if TSLA closes ≥ the 50 % downside threshold on the relevant determination date; missed coupons may be recovered later under the memory feature.
- Auto-call: If TSLA closes ≥ 100 % of the initial price on any quarterly determination date (other than final), the note is redeemed early for principal plus any due coupons.
- Payment at maturity: • If final price ≥ downside threshold, investors receive principal plus coupon(s). • If final price < downside threshold, repayment equals principal × (final/initial price), exposing investors to losses down to 0 % of principal.
- Pricing date: 18 Jul 2025; issue date: 23 Jul 2025.
- Estimated value: $937.95–$967.95 (3.2 %–6.2 % below issue price); commission: $22.50 per note.
- Notes will not be listed on an exchange; secondary liquidity, if any, will be limited and based on dealer pricing.
Key risks highlighted
- Full principal loss if TSLA falls more than 50 % by final determination.
- Coupons are contingent; investors may receive none.
- No upside participation: returns capped at received coupons.
- Credit risk of BNS; product is senior unsecured debt.
- Limited liquidity and estimated value below issue price.
- Tax treatment uncertain under U.S. and Canadian law.
Investors seeking high current income must weigh the attractive 14.52 % coupon against significant downside and liquidity risks.
Positive
- 14.52% contingent coupon provides attractive income relative to traditional fixed-income yields.
- Memory feature can recover previously missed coupons if performance improves.
- Auto-call at par offers potential early return of capital if TSLA trades at or above the initial price.
Negative
- Principal at risk: investors lose 1-for-1 below a 50% drop in TSLA, with possible total loss.
- No upside participation beyond coupons, capping total return.
- Estimated value up to 6.2% below issue price indicates embedded costs.
- Unlisted security with limited secondary liquidity; exit prices may be materially below par.
- Credit risk of BNS and uncertain tax treatment add additional layers of risk.
Insights
TL;DR: High 14.52% coupon with auto-call, but principal risk and no upside make note neutral for balanced risk seekers.
The security offers an above-market 14.52% contingent coupon, supported by a memory feature that can make up missed payments, and an auto-call at par once Tesla stock reaches or exceeds its initial level. These mechanics may return capital quickly if TSLA performs flat to positive. However, investors surrender all upside beyond coupons and face 1-for-1 downside below a 50% barrier, exposing them to material loss in volatile equities like TSLA. Estimated value at issuance is up to 6.2% below issue price, indicating a meaningful embedded structuring cost. Overall return profile appears balanced between generous income potential and significant tail risk; suitability depends on an investor’s view that TSLA will trade sideways or modestly higher while avoiding a >50% drawdown.
TL;DR: Barrier at 50% leaves severe tail risk; illiquidity and lower initial value skew risk-reward negatively.
Tesla’s historical volatility raises the probability that its price could breach the 50% downside threshold over a three-year horizon, potentially eroding investor principal. Because the note is not exchange-listed, interim liquidity will rely on dealer markets that reference their own valuation models, likely at discounts. The initial fair value is $937.95–$967.95 versus the $1,000 purchase price, embedding an immediate mark-to-market deficit that may widen in stressed conditions. Investors also bear BNS credit exposure during the term. These factors collectively shift the product’s risk-reward trade-off toward the downside, warranting caution for conservative portfolios.