# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001000275
**File Stem:** 0001140361-23-009066
**Filing Date:** 2023-2
**Character Count:** 71815
**Document Hash:** a8b01ae6e5c0b8d8e0ca3b1a963878a4
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001140361-23-009066.hdr.sgml**: 20230228

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001140361-23-009066

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: FWP

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 5

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230228

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230228

**SUBJECT COMPANY**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001000275
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** COMMERCIAL BANKS, NEC [6029]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 135357855
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** A6
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1031

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** FWP
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-259205
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23679441

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ROYAL BANK PLAZA
- **STREET 2:** 200 BAY STREET
- **CITY:** TORONTO
- **STATE:** A6
- **ZIP:** M5J2J5
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 212-437-9267

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ROYAL BANK PLAZA
- **STREET 2:** 200 BAY STREET
- **CITY:** TORONTO
- **STATE:** A6
- **ZIP:** M5J2J5

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** ROYAL BANK OF CANADA \
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19950908
**FILED BY**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001000275
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** COMMERCIAL BANKS, NEC [6029]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 135357855
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** A6
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1031

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** FWP

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ROYAL BANK PLAZA
- **STREET 2:** 200 BAY STREET
- **CITY:** TORONTO
- **STATE:** A6
- **ZIP:** M5J2J5
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 212-437-9267

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** ROYAL BANK PLAZA
- **STREET 2:** 200 BAY STREET
- **CITY:** TORONTO
- **STATE:** A6
- **ZIP:** M5J2J5

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** ROYAL BANK OF CANADA \
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19950908

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The information in this preliminary pricing supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary pricing supplement and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

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| Subject To Completion, dated February 28, 2023<br>PRICING SUPPLEMENT No. WFC203 dated March __, 2023<br> (To Product Supplement No. WF1 dated December 23, 2022,<br> Prospectus Supplement dated September 14, 2021<br> and Prospectus dated September 14, 2021) | Filed Pursuant to Rule 433<br> Registration Statement No. 333-259205 |
| Subject To Completion, dated February 28, 2023<br>PRICING SUPPLEMENT No. WFC203 dated March __, 2023<br> (To Product Supplement No. WF1 dated December 23, 2022,<br> Prospectus Supplement dated September 14, 2021<br> and Prospectus dated September 14, 2021) | ![](image0.jpg) |

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| **Royal Bank of Canada**<br> **Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series I**<br> **Equity Index Linked Securities** |
| **Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index due April 4, 2025** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ■ Linked to the S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index (the "<u>Index</u>")<br> ■ Unlike ordinary debt securities, the securities do not pay interest or repay a fixed amount of principal at maturity. Instead, the securities provide for a maturity payment amount that may be greater than, equal to or less than the face amount of the securities, depending on the performance of the Index from the starting level to the ending level. The maturity payment amount will reflect the following terms:<br> ■ If the level of the Index increases, you will receive the face amount plus a positive return equal to 125% of the percentage increase in the level of the Index from the starting level, subject to a maximum return at maturity of at least 25.00% (to be determined on the pricing date) of the face amount. As a result of the maximum return, the maximum maturity payment amount will be at least $1,250.00<br> ■&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If the level of the Index decreases but the decrease is not more than the buffer amount of 10%, you will receive the face amount<br> ■ If the level of the Index decreases by more than the buffer amount, you will receive less than the face amount and have 1-to-1 downside exposure to the decrease in the level of the Index in excess of the buffer amount<br> ■ Investors may lose up to 90% of the face amount<br> ■ All payments on the securities are subject to credit risk, and you will have no ability to pursue any securities included in the Index for payment; if Royal Bank of Canada, as issuer, defaults on its obligations, you could lose some or all of your investment<br> ■ No periodic interest payments or dividends<br> ■ No exchange listing; designed to be held to maturity |

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**Our initial estimated value of the securities as of the pricing date is expected to be between $919.61 and $969.61 per $1,000 in principal amount, and will be less than the public offering price. The final pricing supplement relating to the securities will set forth our estimate of the initial value of the securities as of the pricing date. The market value of the securities at any time will reflect many factors, cannot be predicted with accuracy, and may be less than this amount. See "Estimated Value of the Securities" for further information.**

**The securities have complex features and investing in the securities involves risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. See "Selected Risk Considerations" beginning on page PRS-8 herein and "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-2 of the accompanying product supplement.**

**The securities are the unsecured obligations of Royal Bank of Canada, and, accordingly, all payments on the securities are subject to the credit risk Royal Bank of Canada. If Royal Bank of Canada, as issuer, defaults on its obligations, you could lose some or all of your investment. The securities are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Deposit Insurance Fund, the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency.**

**Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission or other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this pricing supplement or the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.**

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| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | **Original Offering Price** | **Agent Discount<sup>(1)(2)</sup>** | **Proceeds to Royal Bank of** <br> **Canada** |
| **Per Security** | $1000.00 | Up to $25.75 | $974.25 |
| **Total** <br>|  |  |  |

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<sup>(1)</sup> Wells Fargo Securities, LLC is the agent for the distribution of the securities and is acting as principal. See "Terms of the Securities—Agent" and "Estimated Value of the Securities" in this pricing supplement for further information.

<sup>(2)</sup> In addition to the forgoing, in respect of certain securities sold in this offering, our affiliate, RBC Capital Markets, LLC ("<u>RBCCM</u>"), may pay a fee of up to $1.00 per security to selected securities dealers in consideration for marketing and other services in connection with the distribution of the securities to other securities dealers.

#### Wells Fargo Securities

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

**Terms of the Securities**<br>

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Issuer:** | Royal Bank of Canada. |
| **Market Measure:** | S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index (the "<u>Index</u>"). |
| **Pricing Date\*:** | March 30, 2023. |
| **Issue Date\*:** | April 4, 2023. |
| **Original Offering**<br> **Price:** | $1,000 per security. |
| **Face Amount:** | $1,000 per security. References in this pricing supplement to a "<u>security</u>" are to a security with a face amount of $1,000. |
| **Maturity Payment**<br> **Amount:** | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On the stated maturity date, you will be entitled to receive a cash payment per security in U.S. dollars equal to the maturity payment amount. The "<u>maturity payment amount</u>" per security will equal:<br> • if the ending level is greater than the starting level: $1,000 *plus* the lesser of:<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(i) $1,000 × index return × upside participation rate; and<br> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(ii) the maximum return;<br> • if the ending level is less than or equal to the starting level, but greater than or equal to the threshold level: $1,000; or<br> • if the ending level is less than the threshold level:<br> $1,000 + [$1,000 × (index return + buffer amount)] |
| **Maturity Payment**<br> **Amount:** | **If the ending level is less than the threshold level, you will have 1-to-1 downside exposure to the decrease in the level of the Index in excess of the buffer amount and will lose some, and possibly up to 90%, of the face amount of your securities at maturity.** |
| **Stated Maturity**<br> **Date\*:** | April 4, 2025, subject to postponement. The securities are not subject to redemption by Royal Bank of Canada or repayment at the option of any holder of the securities prior to the stated maturity date. |
| **Starting Level:** | ____, the closing level of the Index on the pricing date. |
| **Closing Level:** | Closing level has the meaning set forth under "General Terms of the Securities—Certain Terms for Securities Linked to an Index—Certain Definitions" in the accompanying product supplement. |
| **Ending Level:** | The "<u>ending level</u>" will be the closing level of the Index on the calculation day. |
| **Maximum Return:** | The "<u>maximum return</u>" will be determined on the pricing date and will be at least 25.00% of the face amount per security (at least $250.00 per security). As a result of the maximum return, the maximum maturity payment amount will be at least $1,250.00 per security. |
| **Threshold Level:** | ____, which is equal to 90% of the starting level. |
| **Buffer Amount:** | 10%. |
| **Upside**<br> **Participation Rate:** | 125%. |
| **Index Return:** | The "<u>index return</u>" is the percentage change from the starting level to the ending level, measured as follows:<br> <u>ending level – starting level</u><br> starting level |
| **Calculation Day\*:** | March 30, 2025, subject to postponement. |
| **Market Disruption**<br> **Events and**<br> **Postponement**<br> **Provisions:** | The calculation day is subject to postponement due to non-trading days and the occurrence of a market disruption event. In addition, the stated maturity date will be postponed if the calculation day is postponed and will be adjusted for non-business days.<br> For more information regarding adjustments to the calculation day and the stated maturity date, see "General Terms of the Securities—Consequences of a Market Disruption Event; Postponement of a Calculation Day—Securities Linked to a Single Market Measure" and "—Payment Dates" in the accompanying product |

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

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| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | supplement. In addition, for information regarding the circumstances that may result in a market disruption event, see "General Terms of the Securities—Certain Terms for Securities Linked to an Index—Market Disruption Events" in the accompanying product supplement. |
| **Calculation Agent:** | RBC Capital Markets, LLC ("<u>RBCCM</u>") |
| **Material Tax**<br> **Consequences:** | For a discussion of the material U.S. federal income and certain estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of the securities, see "United States Federal Tax Considerations", and the section "United States Federal Tax Considerations" in the product supplement. For a discussion of the material Canadian federal income tax consequences relating to the securities, please see the section of the product supplement, "Canadian Federal Income Tax Consequences." |
| **Agent:** | Wells Fargo Securities, LLC ("WFS"). The agent will receive the agent discount set forth on the cover page of this document. The agent may resell the securities to other securities dealers at the original offering price of the securities less a concession not in excess of $20.00 per security. Such securities dealers may include Wells Fargo Advisors ("WFA") (the trade name of the retail brokerage business of WFS's affiliates, Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC). In addition to the concession allowed to WFA, WFS may pay $0.75 per security of the agent's discount to WFA as a distribution expense fee for each security sold by WFA.<br> In addition to the forgoing, in respect of certain securities sold in this offering, our affiliate, RBCCM, may pay a fee of up to $1.00 per security to selected securities dealers in consideration for marketing and other services in connection with the distribution of the securities to other securities dealers.<br> WFS and/or RBCCM, and/or one or more of their respective affiliates expects to realize hedging profits projected by their proprietary pricing models to the extent they assume the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities. If WFS or any other dealer participating in the distribution of the securities or any of their affiliates conducts hedging activities for us in connection with the securities, that dealer or its affiliates will expect to realize a profit projected by its proprietary pricing models from those hedging activities. Any such projected profit will be in addition to any discount, concession or fee received in connection with the sale of the securities to you. |
| **Denominations:** | $1,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000. |
| **CUSIP:** | 78016HTJ9 |

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\* To the extent that we make any change to the expected pricing date or expected issue date, the calculation day and stated maturity date may also be changed in our discretion to ensure that the term of the securities remains the same.

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

**Additional Information about the Issuer and the Securities**<br>

You should read this pricing supplement together with product supplement No. WF1 dated December 23, 2022, the prospectus supplement dated September 14, 2021 and the prospectus dated September 14, 2021, relating to our Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series I, of which these securities are a part. Information included in this pricing supplement supersedes information in the product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus to the extent it is different from that information. Certain defined terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the product supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus.

When we refer to "we," "us" or "our" in this pricing supplement, we refer to Royal Bank of Canada.

You may access the product supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus on the SEC website www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filing for the relevant date on the SEC website):

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Product Supplement No. WF1 dated December 23, 2022:

[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000114036122046906/brhc10045822_424b5.htm](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000114036122046906/brhc10045822_424b5.htm)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Prospectus Supplement dated September 14, 2021:

[https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000121465921009472/rbcsupp911210424b3.htm](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000121465921009472/rbcsupp911210424b3.htm)

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• Prospectus dated September 14, 2021:

[https://www<u>.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000121465921009470/rbc911212424b3.htm</u>](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000275/000121465921009470/rbc911212424b3.htm)

Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 1000275.

**Please see the section "Documents Incorporated by Reference" on page I of the above prospectus for a description of our filings with the SEC that are incorporated by reference therein.**

**The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling your financial advisor or by calling Royal Bank of Canada toll-free at 1-877-688-2301.**

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

**Estimated Value of the Securities**<br>

Our estimated initial value of the securities, which will be set forth on the cover page of the final pricing supplement relating to the securities, will be based on the value of our obligation to make the payments on the securities, together with the mid-market value of the derivative embedded in the terms of the securities. Our estimate is based on a variety of assumptions, including our internal funding rate (which represents a discount from our credit spreads), expectations as to dividends on the securities included in the Index, interest rates and volatility, and the expected term of the securities.

The securities are our debt securities. As is the case for all of our debt securities, including our structured notes, the economic terms of the securities reflect our actual or perceived creditworthiness. In addition, because structured notes result in increased operational, funding and liability management costs to us, we typically borrow the funds under these securities at a rate that is more favorable to us than the rate that we might pay for a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity. This relatively lower implied borrowing rate, which is reflected in the economic terms of the securities, along with the agent discount and commission and hedging and other costs associated with the securities, typically reduces the initial estimated value of the securities at the time their terms are set.

In order to satisfy our payment obligations under the securities, we may choose to enter into certain hedging arrangements (which may include call options, put options or other derivatives) with an affiliate of the agent and/or one of our subsidiaries. The terms of these hedging arrangements may take into account a number of factors, including our creditworthiness, interest rate movements, and the tenor of the securities. The economic terms of the securities and their initial estimated value depend in part on the terms of these hedging arrangements. Our cost of hedging will include the projected profit that we or our counterparty(ies) expect to realize in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities. Because hedging our obligations entails risks and may be influenced by market forces beyond our or our counterparty(ies)' control, such hedging may result in a profit that is more or less than expected, or could result in a loss.

Any price that the agent makes available from time to time after the original issue date at which it would be willing to purchase the securities will generally reflect the agent's estimate of their value, less a customary bid-ask spread for similar trades and the cost of unwinding any related hedge transactions. That estimated value will be based upon a variety of factors, including then prevailing market conditions and our creditworthiness. However, for a period of three months after the original issue date, the price at which the agent may purchase the securities is expected to be higher than the price that would be determined based on the agent's valuation at that time less the bid-ask spread and hedging unwind costs referenced above. This is because, at the beginning of this period, that price will not include certain costs that were included in the original offering price, particularly a portion of the agent discount and commission (not including the selling concession) and the expected profits that we or our hedging counterparty(ies) expect to receive from our hedging transactions. As the period continues, these costs are expected to be gradually included in the price that the agent would be willing to pay, and the difference between that price and the price that would be determined based on the agent's valuation of the securities less a bid-ask spread and hedging unwind costs will decrease over time until the end of this period. After this period, if the agent continues to make a market in the securities, the prices that it would pay for them are expected to reflect the agent's estimated value, less the bid-ask spread and hedging unwind costs referenced above. In addition, the value of the securities shown on your account statement will generally reflect the price that the agent would be willing to pay to purchase the securities at that time.

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

**Investor Considerations**<br>

#### The securities are not appropriate for all investors. The securities may be an appropriate investment for investors who:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ seek 125% leveraged exposure to the upside performance of the Index if the ending level is greater than the starting level, subject to the maximum return at maturity of at least 25.00% (to be determined on the pricing date) of the face
 amount;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ desire to limit downside exposure to the Index through the buffer amount;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ are willing to accept the risk that, if the ending level is less than the starting level by more than the buffer amount, they will lose some, and possibly up to 90%, of the face amount per security at maturity;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ are willing to forgo interest payments on the securities and dividends on the securities included in the Index; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ are willing to hold the securities until maturity.

#### The securities may not be an appropriate investment for investors who:
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ seek a liquid investment or are unable or unwilling to hold the securities to maturity;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ are unwilling to accept the risk that the ending level may decrease from the starting level by more than the buffer amount;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ seek uncapped exposure to the upside performance of the Index;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ seek full return of the face amount of the securities at stated maturity;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ are unwilling to purchase securities with an estimated value as of the pricing date that is lower than the original offering price and that may be as low as the lower estimated value set forth on the cover page;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ seek current income;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ are unwilling to accept the risk of exposure to the Index;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ seek exposure to the Index but are unwilling to accept the risk/return trade-offs inherent in the maturity payment amount for the securities;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ are unwilling to accept the credit risk of Royal Bank of Canada to obtain exposure to the Index generally, or to the exposure to the Index that the securities provide specifically; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;■ prefer the lower risk of fixed income investments with comparable maturities issued by companies with comparable credit ratings.

**The considerations identified above are not exhaustive. Whether or not the securities are an appropriate 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 appropriateness of an investment in the securities in light of your particular circumstances. You should also review carefully the "Selected Risk Considerations" herein and the "Risk Factors" in the accompanying product supplement for risks related to an investment in the securities. For more information about the Index, please see the section titled "The S&P 500<sup>®</sup> Index" below.**

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

**Determining Payment at Stated Maturity**<br>

On the stated maturity date, you will receive a cash payment per security (the maturity payment amount) calculated as follows:

![](image00001.jpg)

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

**Selected Risk Considerations**<br>

The securities have complex features and investing in the securities will involve risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt securities. Some of the risks that apply to an investment in the securities are summarized below, but we urge you to read the more detailed explanation of the risks relating to the securities generally in the "Risk Factors" section of the accompanying product supplement. You should reach an investment decision only after you have carefully considered with your advisors the appropriateness of an investment in the securities in light of your particular circumstances.

#### Risks Relating To The Terms And Structure Of The Securities
**If The Ending Level Is Less Than The Threshold Level, You Will Lose Some, And Possibly Up To 90%, Of The Face Amount Of Your Securities At Maturity.**

We will not repay you a fixed amount on the securities on the stated maturity date. The maturity payment amount will depend on the direction of and percentage change in the ending level relative to the starting level and the other terms of the securities. Because the level of the Index will be subject to market fluctuations, the maturity payment amount may be more or less, and possibly significantly less, than the face amount of your securities.

If the ending level is less than the threshold level, the maturity payment amount will be less than the face amount and you will have 1-to-1 downside exposure to the decrease in the level of the Index in excess of the buffer amount, resulting in a loss of 1% of the face amount for every 1% decline in the Index in excess of the buffer amount. The threshold level is 90% of the starting level. As a result, if the ending level is less than the threshold level, you will lose some, and possibly up to 90%, of the face amount per security at maturity. This is the case even if the level of the Index is greater than or equal to the starting level or the threshold level at certain times during the term of the securities.

Even if the ending level is greater than the starting level, the maturity payment amount may only be slightly greater than the face amount, and your yield on the securities may be less than the yield you would earn if you bought a traditional interest-bearing debt security of Royal Bank of Canada or another issuer with a similar credit rating with the same stated maturity date.

#### No Periodic Interest Will Be Paid On The Securities.
No periodic payments of interest will be made on the securities. However, if the agreed-upon tax treatment is successfully challenged by the Internal Revenue Service (the "<u>IRS</u>"), you may be required to recognize taxable income over the term of the securities. You should review the section of this pricing supplement entitled "United States Federal Tax Considerations."

#### Your Return Will Be Limited To The Maximum Return And May Be Lower Than The Return On A Direct Investment In The Index.
The opportunity to participate in the possible increases in the level of the Index through an investment in the securities will be limited because any positive return on the securities will not exceed the maximum return. Therefore, your return on the securities may be lower than the return on a direct investment in the Index. Furthermore, the effect of the upside participation rate will be progressively reduced for all ending levels exceeding the ending level at which the maximum return is reached.

#### The Securities Are Subject To Credit Risk.
The securities are our obligations and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. Any amounts payable under the securities are subject to creditworthiness and you will have no ability to pursue any securities included in the Index for payment. As a result, our actual and perceived creditworthiness may affect the value of the securities and, in the event we were to default on the obligations under the securities, you may not receive any amounts owed to you under the terms of the securities.

#### Significant Aspects Of The Tax Treatment Of The Securities Are Uncertain.
The tax treatment of the securities is uncertain. We do not plan to request a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or from the Canada Revenue Agency regarding the tax treatment of the securities, and the IRS, the Canada Revenue Agency or a court may not agree with the tax treatment described in this pricing supplement and/or the accompanying product supplement.

The IRS has issued a notice indicating that it and the U.S. Treasury Department are actively considering whether, among other issues, a holder should be required to accrue interest over the term of an instrument such as the securities even though that holder will not receive any payments with respect to the securities until maturity or earlier sale or exchange and whether all or part of the gain a holder may recognize upon sale, exchange or maturity of an instrument such as the securities should be treated as ordinary income. The outcome of this process is uncertain and could apply on a retroactive basis.

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

Please read carefully the section entitled "U.S. Federal Tax Consequences" in this pricing supplement, the section entitled "Tax Consequences –United States Taxation" in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled "United States Federal Tax Considerations" in the accompanying product supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation.

For a discussion of the Canadian federal income tax consequences of investing in the securities, please read the section entitled "Certain Income Tax Consequences — Canadian Taxation" in the accompanying prospectus supplement. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation.

#### Risks Relating To The Estimated Value Of The Securities And Any Secondary Market

#### Our Initial Estimated Value Of The Securities Will Be Less Than The Original Offering Price .
Our initial estimated value of the securities will be less than the original offering price of the securities. This is due to, among other things, the fact that the original offering price of the securities reflects the borrowing rate we pay to issue securities of this kind (an internal funding rate that is lower than the rate at which we borrow funds by issuing conventional fixed rate debt), and the inclusion in the original offering price of the agent discount and commission and hedging and other costs associated with the securities. The price, if any, at which you may sell the securities prior to maturity may be less than the original offering price and our initial estimated value.

Assuming no change in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which you may be able to sell your securities prior to maturity will be less than the original offering price and, subject to the discussion in the next paragraph, will be less than our initial estimated value. This is because any such sale price would not be expected to include the agent discount and commission or hedging or other costs associated with the securities, including the estimated profit that we, our affiliates, and/or any of our hedging counterparty(ies) expect to realize in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the securities. In addition, any price at which you may sell the securities is likely to reflect customary bid-ask spreads for similar trades, and the cost of unwinding any related hedge transactions. In addition, the value of the securities determined for any secondary market price is expected to be based in part on the yield that is reflected in the interest rate on our conventional debt securities of similar maturity that are traded in the secondary market, rather than the internal funding rate that we used to price the securities and determine the initial estimated value. As a result, the secondary market price of the securities will be less than if the internal funding rate was used. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the securities, and, potentially, changes in the level of the Index, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the securities in any secondary market and will affect the value of the securities in complex and unpredictable ways. Moreover, we expect that any secondary market price will be based on WFS's valuation of the securities, which may differ from (and may be lower than) the valuation that we would determine for the securities at that time based on the methodology by which we determined the initial estimated value range set forth on the cover page of this document.

For a limited period of time after the original issue date, WFS may purchase the securities at a price that is greater than the price that would otherwise be determined at that time as described in the preceding paragraph. However, over the course of that period, assuming no changes in any other relevant factors, the price you may receive if you sell your securities is expected to decline.

The securities are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. Accordingly, you should be able and willing to hold your securities to maturity.

#### The Initial Estimated Value Of The Securities Is An Estimate Only, Calculated As Of The Time The Terms Of The Securities Are Set.
Our initial estimated value of the securities is based on the value of our obligation to make the payments on the securities, together with the mid-market value of the derivative embedded in the terms of the securities. Our estimate is based on a variety of assumptions, including our internal funding rate (which represents a discount from our credit spreads), expectations as to dividends on the securities included in the Index, interest rates and volatility, and the expected term of the securities. These assumptions are based on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. Other entities, including WFS in connection with determining any secondary market price for the securities, may value the securities or similar securities at a price that is significantly different than we do.

The value of the securities at any time after the pricing date will vary based on many factors, including changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual value you would receive if you sold the securities in any secondary market, if any, should be expected to differ materially from our initial estimated value of your securities.

#### The Value Of The Securities Prior To Stated Maturity Will Be Affected By Numerous Factors, Some Of Which Are Related In Complex Ways.
The value of the securities prior to stated maturity will be affected by the then-current level of the Index, interest rates at that time and a number of other factors, some of which are interrelated in complex ways. The effect of any one factor may be offset or magnified by the effect of another factor. The following factors, which we refer to as the "<u>derivative component factors</u>," and which are described in more detail in the accompanying product supplement, are expected to affect the value of the securities: Index performance; interest rates; volatility of the Index; the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the euro; time remaining to maturity; and dividend yields on

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

securities included in the Index. When we refer to the "<u>value</u>" of your security, we mean the value you could receive for your security if you are able to sell it in the open market before the stated maturity date.

In addition to the derivative component factors, the value of the securities will be affected by actual or anticipated changes in our creditworthiness. You should understand that the impact of one of the factors specified above, such as a change in interest rates, may offset some or all of any change in the value of the securities attributable to another factor, such as a change in the level of the Index. Because numerous factors are expected to affect the value of the securities, changes in the level of the Index may not result in a comparable change in the value of the securities. We anticipate that the value of the securities will always be at a discount to the face amount plus the maximum return.

#### The Securities Will Not Be Listed On Any Securities Exchange And We Do Not Expect A Trading Market For The Securities To Develop.
The securities will not be listed or displayed on any securities exchange or any automated quotation system. Although the agent and/or its affiliates may purchase the securities from holders, they are not obligated to do so and are not required to make a market for the securities. There can be no assurance that a secondary market will develop. Because we do not expect that any market makers will participate in a secondary market for the securities, the price at which you may be able to sell your securities is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which the agent is willing to buy your securities. If a secondary market does exist, it may be limited. Accordingly, there may be a limited number of buyers if you decide to sell your securities prior to stated maturity. This may affect the price you receive upon such sale. Consequently, you should be willing to hold the securities to stated maturity.

Our broker-dealer subsidiary, RBCCM, does not expect to make a market in the securities. If RBCCM determines that the agent is unable or unwilling to make a market in the securities at any time, RBCCM may, but is not obligated to, make a market in the securities at that time. If RBCCM makes a market in the securities at any time, its valuation of the securities may differ from the agent's valuation, and consequently the price at which it may be willing to purchase the securities may differ from (and be lower than) the price at which the agent would have purchased the securities at that time.

#### Risks Relating To The Index
**The Maturity Payment Amount Will Depend Upon The Performance Of The Index And Therefore The Securities Are Subject To The Following Risks, Each As Discussed In More Detail In The Accompanying Product Supplement.**

• **Investing In The Securities Is Not The Same As Investing In The Index.** Investing in the securities is not equivalent to investing in the Index. As an investor in the securities, your return will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned and held the securities included in the Index for a period similar to the term of the securities because you will not receive any dividend payments, distributions or any other payments paid on those securities. As a holder of the securities, you will not have any voting rights or any other rights that holders of the securities included in the Index would have.

• **Historical Levels Of The Index Should Not Be Taken As An Indication Of The Future Performance Of The Index During The Term Of The Securities.**

• **Changes That Affect The Index May Adversely Affect The Value Of The Securities And The Maturity Payment Amount.**

• **We Cannot Control Actions By Any Of The Unaffiliated Companies Whose Securities Are Included In The Index.**

• **We And Our Affiliates Have No Affiliation With The Index Sponsor And Have Not Independently Verified Its Public Disclosure Of Information.**

#### The Stated Maturity Date May Be Postponed If The Calculation Day Is Postponed.
The calculation day will be postponed if the originally scheduled calculation day is not a trading day or if the calculation agent determines that a market disruption event has occurred or is continuing on the calculation day. If such a postponement occurs, the stated maturity date will be the later of (i) the initial stated maturity date and (ii) three business days after the calculation day as postponed.

#### Risks Relating To Conflicts Of Interest

#### Our Economic Interests And Those Of Any Dealer Participating In The Offering Are Potentially Adverse To Your Interests.
You should be aware of the following ways in which our economic interests and those of any dealer participating in the distribution of the securities, which we refer to as a "<u>participating dealer</u>," are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities. In engaging in certain of the activities described below and as discussed in more detail in the accompanying product supplement, our

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may take actions that may adversely affect the value of and your return on the securities, and in so doing they will have no obligation to consider your interests as an investor in the securities. Our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may realize a profit from these activities even if investors do not receive a favorable investment return on the securities.

• ***The calculation agent is our affiliate and may be required to make discretionary judgments that affect the return you receive on the securities.*** RBCCM, which is our affiliate, will be the calculation agent for the securities. As calculation agent, RBCCM will determine any values of the Index and make any other determinations necessary to calculate any payments on the securities. In making these determinations, RBCCM may be required to make discretionary judgments that may adversely affect any payments on the securities. See the sections entitled "General Terms of the Securities— Certain Terms for Securities Linked to an Index—Market Disruption Events,"—Adjustments to an Index" and "—Discontinuance of an Index" in the accompanying product supplement. In making these discretionary judgments, the fact that RBCCM is our affiliate may cause it to have economic interests that are adverse to your interests as an investor in the securities, and RBCCM's determinations as calculation agent may adversely affect your return on the securities.

• ***The estimated value of the securities was calculated by us and is therefore not an independent third-party valuation.***

• ***Research reports by our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may be inconsistent with an investment in the securities and may adversely affect the level of the Index.***

• ***Business activities of our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates with the companies whose securities are included in the Index may adversely affect the level of the Index.***

• ***Hedging activities by our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may adversely affect the level of the Index.***

• ***Trading activities by our affiliates or any participating dealer or its affiliates may adversely affect the level of the Index.***

• ***A participating dealer or its affiliates may realize hedging profits projected by its proprietary pricing models in addition to any selling concession and/or fee, creating a further incentive for the participating dealer to sell the securities to you.***

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

**Hypothetical Examples and Returns**<br>

The payout profile, return table and examples below illustrate the maturity payment amount for a $1,000 face amount security on a hypothetical offering of securities under various scenarios, with the assumptions set forth in the table below. The terms used for purposes of these hypothetical examples do not represent the actual starting level or threshold level. The hypothetical starting level of 100.00 has been chosen for illustrative purposes only and does not represent the actual starting level. The actual starting level and threshold level will be determined on the pricing date and will be set forth under "Terms of the Securities" above in the final pricing supplement. For historical data regarding the actual closing levels of the Index, see the historical information set forth below. The payout profile, return table and examples below assume that an investor purchases the securities for $1,000 per security. These examples are for purposes of illustration only and the values used in the examples may have been rounded for ease of analysis. The actual maturity payment amount and resulting pre-tax total rate of return will depend on the actual terms of the securities.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Hypothetical Maximum Return:** | At least 25.00% or $250.00 per security (the lowest possible maximum return that may be determined on the pricing date) |
| **Hypothetical Starting Level:** | 100.00 |
| **Hypothetical Threshold Level:** | 90.00 (90% of the hypothetical starting level) |
| **Buffer Amount:** | 10% |

---

#### Hypothetical Payout Profile

![](image00002.jpg)

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

#### Hypothetical Returns

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| **Hypothetical**<br> **ending level** | **Hypothetical**<br> **index return<sup>(1)</sup>** | **Hypothetical**<br> **maturity payment**<br> **amount per security** | **Hypothetical**<br> **pre-tax total**<br> **rate of return<sup>(2)</sup>** |
| 200.00 | 100.00% | $1250.00 | 25.000% |
| 175.00 | 75.00% | $1250.00 | 25.000% |
| 150.00 | 50.00% | $1250.00 | 25.000% |
| 140.00 | 40.00% | $1250.00 | 25.000% |
| 130.00 | 30.00% | $1250.00 | 25.000% |
| 120.00 | 20.00% | $1250.00 | 25.000% |
| 115.00 | 15.00% | $1187.50 | 18.750% |
| 110.00 | 10.00% | $1125.00 | 12.500% |
| 107.50 | 7.50% | $1093.75 | 9.375% |
| 105.00 | 5.00% | $1062.50 | 6.250% |
| 100.00 | 0.00% | $1000.00 | 0.000% |
| 95.00 | -5.00% | $1000.00 | 0.000% |
| 90.00 | -10.00% | $1000.00 | 0.000% |
| 89.00 | -11.00% | $990.00 | -1.000% |
| 85.00 | -15.00% | $950.00 | -5.000% |
| 80.00 | -20.00% | $900.00 | -10.000% |
| 70.00 | -30.00% | $800.00 | -20.000% |
| 60.00 | -40.00% | $700.00 | -30.000% |
| 50.00 | -50.00% | $600.00 | -40.000% |
| 25.00 | -75.00% | $350.00 | -65.000% |
| 0.00 | -100.00% | $100.00 | -90.000% |

---

 <sup>(1)</sup> The index return is equal to the percentage change from the starting level to the ending level (i.e., the ending level *minus* the starting level, *divided* by the starting level).

<sup>(2)</sup> The hypothetical pre-tax total rate of return is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the maturity payment amount per security to the face amount of $1,000.

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

#### Hypothetical Examples

#### Example 1. Maturity payment amount is greater than the face amount and reflects a return that is less than the maximum return:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| | **Index** |
| **Hypothetical starting level:** | 100.00 |
| **Hypothetical ending level:** | 105.00 |
| **Hypothetical threshold level:** | 90.00 |
| **Hypothetical index return**<br> **(ending level – starting level)/starting level:** | 5.00% |

---

Because the hypothetical ending level is greater than the hypothetical starting level, the maturity payment amount per security would be equal to the face amount of $1,000 *plus* a positive return equal to the *lesser of*:

(i) $1,000 × index return × upside participation rate

$1,000 × 5.00% × 125.00%

= $62.50; and

(ii) the maximum return of $250.00

On the stated maturity date you would receive $1,062.50 per security.

#### Example 2. Maturity payment amount is greater than the face amount and reflects a return equal to the maximum return:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | **Index** |
| **Hypothetical starting level:** | 100.00 |
| **Hypothetical ending level:** | 150.00 |
| **Hypothetical threshold level:** | 90.00 |
| **Hypothetical index return**<br> **(ending level – starting level)/starting level:** | 50.00% |

---

Because the hypothetical ending level is greater than the hypothetical starting level, the maturity payment amount per security would be equal to the face amount of $1,000 *plus* a positive return equal to the *lesser of*:

(i) $1,000 × index return × upside participation rate

$1,000 × 50.00% × 125.00%

= $625.00; and

(ii) the maximum return of $250.00

On the stated maturity date you would receive $1,250.00 per security, which is the maximum maturity payment amount.

In addition to limiting your return on the securities, the maximum return limits the positive effect of the upside participation rate. If the ending level is greater than the starting level, you will participate in the performance of the Index at a rate of 125% up to a certain point. However, the effect of the upside participation rate will be progressively reduced for ending levels that are greater than 120.00% of the starting level (assuming a maximum return of 25.00% or $250.00 per security, the lowest possible maximum return that may be determined on the pricing date) since your return on the securities for any ending level greater than 120.00% of the starting level will be limited to the maximum return.

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

#### Example 3. Maturity payment amount is equal to the face amount:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | **Index** |
| **Hypothetical starting level:** | 100.00 |
| **Hypothetical ending level:** | 95.00 |
| **Hypothetical threshold level:** | 90.00 |
| **Hypothetical index return**<br> **(ending level – starting level)/starting level:** | -5.00% |

---

Because the hypothetical ending level is less than the hypothetical starting level, but not by more than the buffer amount, you would not lose any of the face amount of your securities.

On the stated maturity date you would receive $1,000.00 per security.

#### Example 4. Maturity payment amount is less than the face amount:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| | **Index** |
| **Hypothetical starting level:** | 100.00 |
| **Hypothetical ending level:** | 50.00 |
| **Hypothetical threshold level:** | 90.00 |
| **Hypothetical index return**<br> **(ending level – starting level)/starting level:** | -50.00% |

---

Because the hypothetical ending level is less than the hypothetical starting level by more than the buffer amount, you would lose a portion of the face amount of your securities and receive the maturity payment amount equal to:

$1,000 + [$1,000 × (index return + buffer amount)]

$1,000 + [$1,000 × (-50.00% + 10%)]

= $600.00

On the stated maturity date you would receive $650.00 per security.

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

**The S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index**<br>

All disclosures contained in this document regarding the SPX Index, including, without limitation, its make up, method of calculation, and changes in its components, have been derived from publicly available sources. The information reflects the policies of, and is subject to change by, its sponsor. None of us, the agent or RBCCM accepts any responsibility for the calculation, maintenance or publication of the SPX Index or any successor index.

The SPX Index is intended to provide an indication of the pattern of price movements among U.S. large capitalization stocks. The calculation of the level of the SPX Index is based on the relative value of the aggregate market value of the common stocks of 500 companies as of a particular time compared to the aggregate average market value of the common stocks of 500 similar companies during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943.

S&P calculates the SPX Index by reference to the prices of the constituent stocks of the SPX Index without taking account of the value of dividends paid on those stocks. As a result, the return on the securities will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned the SPX Index constituent stocks and received the dividends paid on those stocks.

Effective with the September 2015 rebalance, consolidated share class lines will no longer be included in the SPX Index. Each share class line will be subject to public float and liquidity criteria individually, but the company's total market capitalization will be used to evaluate each share class line. This may result in one listed share class line of a company being included in the SPX Index while a second listed share class line of the same company is excluded.

#### Computation of the SPX Index
While S&P currently employs the following methodology to calculate the SPX Index, no assurance can be given that S&P will not modify or change this methodology in a manner that may affect the payment at maturity.

Historically, the market value of any component stock of the SPX Index was calculated as the product of the market price per share and the number of then outstanding shares of such component stock. In March 2005, S&P began shifting the SPX Index halfway from a market capitalization weighted formula to a float-adjusted formula, before moving the SPX Index to full float adjustment on September 16, 2005. S&P's criteria for selecting stocks for the SPX Index did not change with the shift to float adjustment. However, the adjustment affects each company's weight in the SPX Index.

Under float adjustment, the share counts used in calculating the SPX Index reflect only those shares that are available to investors, not all of a company's outstanding shares. Float adjustment excludes shares that are closely held by control groups, other publicly traded companies or government agencies.

In September 2012, all shareholdings representing more than 5% of a stock's outstanding shares, other than holdings by "block owners," were removed from the float for purposes of calculating the SPX Index. Generally, these "control holders" will include officers and directors, private equity, venture capital and special equity firms, other publicly traded companies that hold shares for control, strategic partners, holders of restricted shares, ESOPs, employee and family trusts, foundations associated with the company, holders of unlisted share classes of stock, government entities at all levels (other than government retirement/pension funds) and any individual person who controls a 5% or greater stake in a company as reported in regulatory filings. However, holdings by block owners, such as depositary banks, pension funds, mutual funds and ETF providers, 401(k) plans of the company, government retirement/pension funds, investment funds of insurance companies, asset managers and investment funds, independent foundations and savings and investment plans, will ordinarily be considered part of the float.

Treasury stock, stock options equity participation units, warrants, preferred stock, convertible stock, and rights are not part of the float. Shares held in a trust to allow investors in countries outside the country of domicile, such as depositary shares and Canadian exchangeable shares are normally part of the float unless those shares form a control block.

For each stock, an investable weight factor ("<u>IWF</u>") is calculated by dividing the available float shares by the total shares outstanding. Available float shares are defined as the total shares outstanding less shares held by control holders. This calculation is subject to a 5% minimum threshold for control blocks. For example, if a company's officers and directors hold 3% of the company's shares, and no other control group holds 5% of the company's shares, S&P would assign that company an IWF of 1.00, as no control group meets the 5% threshold. However, if a company's officers and directors hold 3% of the company's shares and another control group holds 20% of the company's shares, S&P would assign an IWF of 0.77, reflecting the fact that 23% of the company's outstanding shares are considered to be held for control. As of July 31, 2017, companies with multiple share class lines are no longer eligible for inclusion in the SPX Index. Constituents of the SPX Index prior to July 31, 2017 with multiple share class lines were grandfathered in and continue to be included in the SPX Index. If a constituent company of the SPX Index reorganizes into a multiple share class line structure, that company will remain in the SPX Index at the discretion of the S&P Index Committee in order to minimize turnover.

The SPX Index is calculated using a base-weighted aggregate methodology. The level of the SPX Index reflects the total market value of all 500 component stocks relative to the base period of the years 1941 through 1943. An indexed number is used to represent the results of this calculation in order to make the level easier to use and track over time. The actual total market value of the component stocks

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

during the base period of the years 1941 through 1943 has been set to an indexed level of 10. This is often indicated by the notation 1941-43 = 10. In practice, the daily calculation of the SPX Index is computed by dividing the total market value of the component stocks by the "index divisor." By itself, the index divisor is an arbitrary number. However, in the context of the calculation of the SPX Index, it serves as a link to the original base period level of the SPX Index. The index divisor keeps the SPX Index comparable over time and is the manipulation point for all adjustments to the SPX Index, which is index maintenance.

#### Index Maintenance
Index maintenance includes monitoring and completing the adjustments for company additions and deletions, share changes, stock splits, stock dividends, and stock price adjustments due to company restructurings or spinoffs. Some corporate actions, such as stock splits and stock dividends, require changes in the common shares outstanding and the stock prices of the companies in the SPX Index, and do not require index divisor adjustments.

To prevent the level of the SPX Index from changing due to corporate actions, corporate actions which affect the total market value of the SPX Index require an index divisor adjustment. By adjusting the index divisor for the change in market value, the level of the SPX Index remains constant and does not reflect the corporate actions of individual companies in the SPX Index. Index divisor adjustments are made after the close of trading and after the calculation of the SPX Index closing level.

Changes in a company's total shares outstanding of 5% or more due to public offerings are made as soon as reasonably possible. Other changes of 5% or more (for example, due to tender offers, Dutch auctions, voluntary exchange offers, company stock repurchases, private placements, acquisitions of private companies or non-index companies that do not trade on a major exchange, redemptions, exercise of options, warrants, conversion of preferred stock, notes, debt, equity participations, at-the-market stock offerings or other recapitalizations) are made weekly, and are generally announced on Fridays for implementation after the close of trading the following Friday (one week later). If a 5% or more share change causes a company's IWF to change by five percentage points or more, the IWF is updated at the same time as the share change. IWF changes resulting from partial tender offers are considered on a case-by-case basis.

#### License Agreement
S&P<sup>®</sup> is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones<sup>®</sup> is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ("<u>Dow Jones</u>"). These trademarks have been licensed for use by S&P. "Standard & Poor's<sup>®</sup>", "S&P 500<sup>®</sup>" and "S&P<sup>®</sup>" are trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC. These trademarks have been sublicensed for certain purposes by us. The SPX Index is a product of S&P and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by us. The securities are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, "<u>S&P Dow Jones Indices</u>"). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the holders of the securities or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the securities particularly or the ability of the SPX Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices' only relationship to us with respect to the SPX Index is the licensing of the SPX Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its third party licensors. The SPX Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to us or the securities. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the securities into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the SPX Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of the securities or the timing of the issuance or sale of the securities or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the securities are to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the securities. There is no assurance that investment products based on the SPX Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and its subsidiaries are not investment advisors. Inclusion of a security or futures contract within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security or futures contract, nor is it considered to be investment advice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the securities currently being issued by us, but which may be similar to and competitive with the securities. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the SPX Index. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the securities.

S&P DOW JONES INDICES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE SPX INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY US, HOLDERS OF THE SECURITIES, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE SPX INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND US, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.

#### Historical Information
We obtained the closing levels of the Index in the graph below from Bloomberg Finance L.P., without independent verification.

The following graph sets forth daily closing levels of the Index for the period from January 1, 2018 to February 24, 2023. The closing level on February 24, 2023 was 3,970.04. The historical performance of the Index should not be taken as an indication of the future performance of the Index during the term of the securities.

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**Market Linked Securities—Leveraged Upside Participation to a Cap** <br> **and Fixed Percentage Buffered Downside**<br> **Principal at Risk Securities Linked to the S&P 500**<sup>®</sup> **Index due April 4, 2025**<br>

**United States Federal Tax Considerations**<br>

The following discussion supplements, and to the extent applicable supersedes, the discussion in the accompanying product supplement under the caption "United States Federal Tax Considerations."

In the opinion of our special U.S. tax counsel, Ashurst LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat a security with terms described herein as a pre-paid cash-settled derivative contract in respect of the Index for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the terms of the securities require a holder (in the absence of a change in law or an administrative or judicial ruling to the contrary) to treat the securities for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization. However, the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in the securities are uncertain and the IRS could assert that the securities should be taxed in a manner that is different from that described in the preceding sentence. If this treatment is respected, a U.S. holder should generally recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange, redemption or payment on maturity in an amount equal to the difference between the amount it received at such time and the amount that it paid for the securities. Such gain or loss should generally be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder has held its securities for more than one year. Non-U.S. holders should consult the section entitled "Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders" in the underlying product supplement.

Under Section 871(m) of the Code, a "dividend equivalent" payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States. Such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments ("ELIs") that are "specified ELIs" may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference, directly or indirectly, an interest in an "underlying security," which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, the IRS has issued guidance that states that the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS intend to amend the effective dates of the U.S. Treasury Department regulations to provide that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2025. Based on our determination that the securities are not delta-one instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the securities. However, it is possible that the securities could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the Index or the securities (for example, upon the Index rebalancing), and following such occurrence the securities could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S. holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the Index or the securities should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the securities and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable withholding agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.

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