Form 424B5 ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

Accelerated Return Notes^® “ARNs^®” Linked to One or More Equity Securities

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The ARNs are unsecured and are not savings accounts or insured deposits of a bank.  The ARNs are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) or any other Canadian or U.S. governmental agency or instrumentality.  Potential purchasers of the ARNs should consider the information in “Risk Factors” beginning on page PS-6 of this product supplement, page S-2 of the accompanying Series I prospectus supplement, and page 1 of the accompanying prospectus.  You may lose all or a significant portion of your investment in the ARNs.

None of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), any state securities commission, or any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this product supplement, the prospectus supplement, or the prospectus.  Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

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BofA Securities

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The ARNS^® and “Accelerated Return Notes^®” are registered service marks of Bank of America Corporation, the parent corporation of BofAS.

RISK FACTORS

Your investment in the ARNs is subject to investment risks, many of which differ from those of a conventional debt security.  Your decision to purchase the ARNs should be made only after carefully considering the risks, including those discussed below, in light of your particular circumstances.  The ARNs are not an appropriate investment for you if you are not knowledgeable about the material terms of the ARNs or investments in equity or equity-based securities in general.

Your investment may result in a loss; there is no guaranteed return of principal.  There is no fixed principal repayment amount on the ARNs at maturity.  The return on the ARNs will be based on the performance of the Market Measure and, therefore, you may lose all or a significant portion of your investment if the value of the Market Measure decreases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value. If the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value, then you will receive a Redemption Amount at maturity that will be less than the principal amount of your ARNs.

Your investment return will be limited to the return represented by the Capped Value and may be less than a comparable investment directly in the Market Measure.  The appreciation potential of the ARNs is limited to the Capped Value.  You will not receive a Redemption Amount greater than the Capped Value, regardless of the extent of the increase in the value of the Market Measure.  In contrast, a direct investment in the Market Measure would allow you to receive the full benefit of any appreciation in the value of the Market Measure.

In addition, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable term sheet or in the event of an adjustment as described in this product supplement under “Description of the ARNs—Anti-Dilution Adjustments,” the Ending Value will not reflect the value of dividends paid, or distributions made, on any Underlying Stock or any other rights associated with any Underlying Stock. Thus, any return on the ARNs will not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of any Underlying Stock.

The Redemption Amount will not reflect changes in the value of the Market Measure that occur other than on the calculation day.  Changes in the value of the Market Measure during the term of the ARNs other than on the calculation day will not be reflected in the calculation of the Redemption Amount.  To calculate the Redemption Amount, the calculation agent will compare only the Ending Value to the Starting Value.  No other values of the Market Measure will be taken into account.  As a result, even if the value of the Market Measure has increased at certain times during the term of the ARNs, you will receive a Redemption Amount that is less than the principal amount if the Ending Value is less than the Starting Value.

If your ARNs are linked to a Basket, changes in the prices of one or more of the Basket Stocks may be offset by changes in the prices of one or more of the other Basket Stocks.  The Market Measure of your ARNs may be a Basket.  In such a case, changes in the prices of one or more of the Basket Stocks may not correlate with changes in the prices of one or more of the other Basket Stocks.  The prices of one or more Basket Stocks may increase, while the prices of one or more of the other Basket Stocks may decrease or not increase as much.  Therefore, in calculating the value of the Market Measure at any time, increases in the price of one Basket Stock may be moderated or wholly offset by decreases or lesser increases in the prices of one or more of the other Basket Stocks.  If the weightings of the applicable Basket Stocks are not equal, adverse changes in the prices of the Basket Stocks which are more

heavily weighted could have a greater impact upon the value of the Market Measure and, consequently, the return on your ARNs.

Your return on the ARNs may be less than the yield on a conventional fixed or floating rate debt security of comparable maturity.  There will be no periodic interest payments on the ARNs as there would be on a conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt security having the same maturity.  Any return that you receive on the ARNs may be less than the return you would earn if you purchased a conventional debt security with the same maturity date.  As a result, your investment in the ARNs may not reflect the full opportunity cost to you when you consider factors, such as inflation, that affect the time value of money.

Payments on the ARNs are subject to our credit risk, and any actual or perceived changes in our creditworthiness are expected to affect the value of the ARNs.  The ARNs are our senior unsecured debt securities.  As a result, your receipt of the Redemption Amount at maturity is dependent upon our ability to repay our obligations on the maturity date, regardless of whether the Market Measure increases from the Starting Value to the Ending Value.  No assurance can be given as to what our financial condition will be on the maturity date.  If we become unable to meet our financial obligations as they become due, you may not receive the amount payable under the terms of the ARNs.

In addition, our credit ratings are an assessment by ratings agencies of our ability to pay our obligations.  Consequently, our perceived creditworthiness and actual or anticipated decreases in our credit ratings or increases in the spread between the yield on our securities and the yield on U.S. Treasury securities (the “credit spread”) prior to the maturity date may adversely affect the market value of the ARNs.  However, because your return on the ARNs depends upon factors in addition to our ability to pay our obligations, such as the value of the Market Measure, an improvement in our credit ratings will not reduce the other investment risks related to the ARNs.

The initial estimated value of the ARNs considers certain assumptions and variables and relies in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. The initial estimated value of the ARNs, which will be set forth in the applicable term sheet, is an estimate only, determined as of a particular point in time by reference to our and its affiliates’ pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, including our credit spreads, our internal funding rate on the pricing date, mid-market terms on hedging transactions, expectations on interest rates and volatility, price-sensitivity analysis, and the expected term of the ARNs.  These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect.

The public offering price you pay for the ARNs will exceed the initial estimated value. If you attempt to sell the ARNs prior to maturity, their market value may be lower than the price you paid for them and lower than the initial estimated value. This is due to, among other things, changes in the value of the Market Measure, the internal funding rate we pay to issue market linked notes, and the inclusion in the public offering price of the underwriting discount and an expected hedging related charge. These factors, together with various credit, market and economic factors over the term of the ARNs, are expected to reduce the price at which you may be able to sell the ARNs in any secondary market and will affect the value of the ARNs in complex and unpredictable ways.

The initial estimated value does not represent a minimum or maximum price at which we, BofAS or any of our respective affiliates would be willing to purchase your ARNs in any secondary market (if any exists) at any time.  The value of your ARNs at any time after issuance

will vary based on many factors that cannot be predicted with accuracy, including the performance of the Market Measure, our creditworthiness and changes in market conditions.

We cannot assure you that there will be a trading market for your ARNs.  If a secondary market exists, we cannot predict how the ARNs will trade, or whether that market will be liquid or illiquid.  The development of a trading market for the ARNs will depend on various factors, including our financial performance and changes in the value of the Market Measure.  The number of potential buyers of your ARNs in any secondary market may be limited.  There is no assurance that any party will be willing to purchase your ARNs at any price in any secondary market.

We anticipate that one or more of the agents or their affiliates will act as a market-maker for the ARNs, but none of them is required to do so and may cease to do so at any time.  Any price at which an agent or its affiliates  may bid for, offer, purchase, or sell any ARNs may be higher or lower than the applicable public offering price, and that price may differ from the values determined by pricing models that it may use, whether as a result of dealer discounts, mark-ups, or other transaction costs.  These bids, offers, or transactions may adversely affect the prices, if any, at which those ARNs might otherwise trade in the market.  In addition, if at any time any entity were to cease acting as a market-maker for any issue of the ARNs, it is likely that there would be significantly less liquidity in that secondary market.  In such a case, the price at which those ARNs could be sold would likely be lower than if an active market existed.

Unless otherwise stated in the applicable term sheet, we will not list the ARNs on any securities exchange.  Even if an application were made to list your ARNs, we cannot assure you that the application will be approved or that your ARNs will be listed and, if listed, that they will remain listed for their entire term.  The listing of the ARNs on any securities exchange will not necessarily ensure that a trading market will develop, and if a trading market does develop, that there will be liquidity in the trading market.

If you attempt to sell the ARNs prior to maturity, their market value, if any, will be affected by various factors that interrelate in complex ways, and their market value may be less than the principal amount.  The ARNs are not designed to be short-term trading instruments. You have no right to have your ARNs redeemed prior to maturity.  If you wish to liquidate your investment in the ARNs prior to maturity, your only option would be to sell them.  At that time, there may be an illiquid market for your ARNs or no market at all.  Even if you were able to sell your ARNs, there are many factors outside of our control that may affect their market value, some of which, but not all, are stated below.  These factors may interact with each other in complex and unpredictable ways, and the impact of any one factor may be offset or magnified by the effect of another factor.  The following paragraphs describe a specific factor’s expected impact on the market value of the ARNs, assuming all other conditions remain constant.

In addition, because the Redemption Amount will not exceed the applicable Capped Value, we do not expect that ARNs will trade in any secondary market at a price that is greater than the Capped Value.

Trading and hedging activities by us, the agents, and our respective affiliates may affect your return on ARNs and their market value.  We, the agents, and our respective affiliates may buy or sell shares of any Underlying Stock, futures or options contracts or exchange-traded instruments on any Underlying Stock, or other listed or over-the counter derivative instruments linked to any Underlying Stock.  We, the agents or our respective

affiliates may execute such purchases or sales for our own or their own accounts, for business reasons, or in connection with hedging our obligations under ARNs.  These transactions could adversely affect the value of an Underlying Stock in a manner that could be adverse to your investment in ARNs.  On or before the applicable pricing date, any purchases or sales by us, the agents and our respective affiliates, or others on our or their behalf (including those for the purpose of hedging some or all of our anticipated exposure in connection with ARNs), may increase the value of an Underlying Stock.  Consequently, the value of that Underlying Stock may decrease subsequent to the pricing date of an issue of ARNs, adversely affecting the market value of ARNs.

We, the agents, or one or more of our respective affiliates expect to also engage in hedging activities that could increase the value of an Underlying Stock on the applicable pricing date.  In addition, these activities, including the unwinding of a hedge, may decrease the market value of your ARNs prior to maturity, including on the calculation day, and may reduce the Redemption Amount. We, the agents, or one or more of our respective affiliates may purchase or otherwise acquire a long or short position in ARNs, and may hold or resell ARNs.  For example, the agents may enter into these transactions in connection with any market making activities in which they engage.  We cannot assure you that these activities will not adversely affect the value of any Underlying Stock, the market value of your ARNs prior to maturity or the Redemption Amount.

Our trading, hedging and other business activities, and those of the agents or one or more of our respective affiliates, may create conflicts of interest with you.  We, the agents, or one or more of our respective affiliates may engage in trading activities related to an Underlying Stock that are not for your account or on your behalf.  We, the agents, or one or more of our respective affiliates also may issue or underwrite other financial instruments with returns based upon the applicable Market Measure.  In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the agents or their affiliates may hold and trade our or our affiliates’ 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.  Certain of the agents or their affiliates may also have a lending or other financial relationship with us.  In order to hedge such exposure, the agents or their affiliates may enter into transactions such as the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our or our affiliates’ securities, including potentially ARNs.  Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of ARNs. These trading and other business activities may present a conflict of interest between your interest in the ARNs and the interests we, the agents, and our respective affiliates may have in our proprietary accounts, in facilitating transactions, including block trades, for our or their other customers, and in accounts under our or their management.  These trading and other business activities, if they influence the value of the Market Measure or secondary trading in your ARNs, could be adverse to your interests as a beneficial owner of the ARNs.

We, the agents, and our respective affiliates expect to enter into arrangements or adjust or close out existing transactions to hedge our obligations under ARNs.  We, the agents, or our respective affiliates also may enter into hedging transactions relating to other securities or instruments that we or they issue, some of which may have returns calculated in a manner related to that of a particular issue of ARNs.  We may enter into such hedging arrangements with one or more of our subsidiaries or affiliates, or with one or more of the agents or their affiliates.  Such a party may enter into additional hedging transactions with other parties relating to ARNs and an Underlying Stock.  This hedging activity is expected to result in a profit to those engaging in the hedging activity, which could be more or less than initially expected, but could also result in a loss.  We, the agents, and our respective affiliates will price these hedging transactions with the intent to realize a profit, regardless of whether the value of ARNs increases or decreases or whether the Redemption Amount on ARNs is more or less than the

principal amount of ARNs.  Any profit in connection with such hedging activities will be in addition to any other compensation that we, the agents, and our respective affiliates receive for the sale of ARNs, which creates an additional incentive to sell ARNs to you.

There may be potential conflicts of interest involving the calculation agent.  We have the right to appoint and remove the calculation agent.  We expect to appoint BofAS or one of its affiliates as the calculation agent for the ARNs and, as such, it will determine the Starting Value, the Price Multiplier, the Ending Value, and the Redemption Amount.  Under some circumstances, these duties could result in a conflict of interest between our status as issuer and our responsibilities as calculation agent.  These conflicts could occur, for instance, in connection with the calculation agent’s determination as to whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred, or in connection with judgments that the calculation agent would be required to make if certain corporate events occur with respect to any Underlying Stock.  See the sections entitled “Description of the ARNs—Market Disruption Events” and “—Anti-Dilution Adjustments.”  The calculation agent will be required to carry out its duties in good faith and use its reasonable judgment.  However, because we may serve as the calculation agent, potential conflicts of interest could arise. As the calculation agent, BofAS or one of its affiliates will have discretion in making various determinations that affect your ARNs. The exercise of this discretion by the calculation agent could adversely affect the value of your ARNs and may present the calculation agent with a conflict of interest of the kind described under “—Trading and hedging activities by us, the agents, and our respective affiliates may affect your return on the ARNs and their market value” and “—Our trading, hedging and other business activities, and those of the agents or one or more of our respective affiliates, may create conflicts of interest with you” above.

An Underlying Company will have no obligations relating to the ARNs and we will not perform any due diligence procedures with respect to any Underlying Company.  An Underlying Company will not have any financial or legal obligation with respect to the ARNs or the amount to be paid to you, including any obligation to take our needs or the needs of holders of the ARNs into consideration for any reason, including taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of an Underlying Stock or the value of the ARNs.  An Underlying Company will not receive any of the proceeds from any offering of the ARNs, and will not be responsible for, or participate in, the offering of the ARNs.  No Underlying Company will be responsible for, or participate in, the determination or calculation of the amount receivable by holders of the ARNs.

None of us, the agents, or our respective affiliates will conduct any due diligence inquiry with respect to any Underlying Stock in connection with an offering of the ARNs.  None of us, the agents, or our respective affiliates has made any independent investigation as to the completeness or accuracy of publicly available information regarding any Underlying Company or as to the future performance of any Underlying Stock.  Any prospective purchaser of the ARNs should undertake such independent investigation of any Underlying Company as in its judgment is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment in the ARNs.

You must rely on your own evaluation of the merits of an investment linked to any applicable Underlying Stock.  In the ordinary course of business, we, the agents, and our respective affiliates may have expressed views on expected movements in an Underlying Stock, and may do so in the future.  These views or reports may be communicated to our clients and clients of these entities.  However, these views are subject to change from time to time.  Moreover, other professionals who deal in markets relating to any Underlying Stock may at any time have significantly different views from our views and the views of these entities.  For these

reasons, you are encouraged to derive information concerning an Underlying Stock from multiple sources, and you should not rely on our views or the views expressed by these entities.

As a holder of ARNs, you will have no rights to receive any shares of any Underlying Stock, and you will not be entitled to receive dividends or other distributions by any Underlying Company. ARNs are our debt securities.  They are not equity instruments, shares of stock, or securities of any other issuer.  Investing in ARNs will not make you a holder of any Underlying Stock.  You will not have any voting rights, any rights to receive dividends or other distributions, or any other rights with respect to any Underlying Stock.  As a result, the return on your ARNs may not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned shares of an Underlying Stock and received the dividends paid or other distributions made in connection with them. Your ARNs will be paid in cash and you have no right to receive any shares of an Underlying Stock.

If shares of an Underlying Company are also listed on a foreign exchange, your return may be affected by factors affecting international securities markets.  The value of securities traded outside of the U.S. may be adversely affected by a variety of factors relating to the relevant securities markets.  Factors which could affect those markets, and therefore the return on your ARNs, include:

In particular, many emerging nations are undergoing rapid change involving the restructuring of economic, political, financial and legal systems. Regulatory and tax environments may be subject to change without review or appeal, and many emerging markets suffer from underdevelopment of capital markets and tax systems.  In addition, in some of these nations, issuers of the relevant securities face the threat of expropriation of their assets and/or nationalization of their businesses.  The economic and financial data about some of these countries may be unreliable. Additionally, the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements applicable to companies in foreign countries may differ from those applicable to U.S. reporting companies.

We, the agents and our respective affiliates do not control any Underlying Company and have not verified any disclosure made by any Underlying Company.  We, the agents, or our respective affiliates currently, or in the future, may engage in business with any Underlying Company, and we, the agents or our respective affiliates may from time to time own securities of any Underlying Company. However, none of us, the agents, or any of our

respective affiliates has the ability to control the actions of any Underlying Company or has undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, any Underlying Stock or Underlying Company. Any information in the term sheet regarding an Underlying Stock and an Underlying Company is derived from publicly available information. You should make your own investigation into any Underlying Stock and any Underlying Company.

Our business activities and those of the agents relating to any Underlying Company or the ARNs may create conflicts of interest with you.  We, the agents, and our respective affiliates, at the time of any offering of ARNs or in the future, may engage in business with any Underlying Company, including making loans to, equity investments in, or providing investment banking, asset management, or other services to that company, its affiliates, and its competitors.

In connection with these activities, any of these entities may receive information about those companies that we will not divulge to you or other third parties. We, the agents, and our respective affiliates have published, and in the future may publish, research reports on one or more of these companies. The agents may also publish research reports relating to our or our affiliates’ securities, including ARNs. This research is modified from time to time without notice and may express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with purchasing or holding your ARNs. Any of these activities may adversely affect the price of any Underlying Stock and, consequently, the market value of your ARNs. None of us, the agents, or any of our respective affiliates makes any representation to any purchasers of ARNs regarding any matters whatsoever relating to any Underlying Stock or any Underlying Company. Any prospective purchaser of ARNs should undertake an independent investigation into any Underlying Stock and any Underlying Company as in its judgment, is appropriate to make an informed decision with respect to an investment in ARNs. The selection of an Underlying Stock does not reflect any investment recommendations from us, the agents, or our respective affiliates.

The Redemption Amount will not be adjusted for all corporate events that could affect an Underlying Company.  The Price Multiplier, the Ending Value, the Redemption Amount and other terms of ARNs may be adjusted for the specified corporate events affecting an Underlying Stock, as described in the section entitled “Description of the ARNs—Anti-Dilution Adjustments.” However, these adjustments do not cover all corporate events that could affect the market price of an Underlying Stock, such as offerings of common shares for cash or in connection with certain acquisition transactions. The occurrence of any event that does not require the calculation agent to adjust the applicable Price Multiplier or the amount payable to you at maturity may adversely affect the Closing Market Price of an Underlying Stock, the Ending Value and the Redemption Amount, and, as a result, the market value of ARNs.

Risks Relating to Underlying Stocks that Are ADRs

The value of an ADR may not accurately track the value of the common shares of the related Underlying Company. If an Underlying Stock is an ADR, each ADR will represent shares of the relevant Underlying Company.  Generally, the ADRs are issued under a deposit agreement that sets forth the rights and responsibilities of the depositary, the Underlying Company and the holders of the ADRs.  The trading patterns of the ADRs will generally reflect the characteristics and valuations of the underlying common shares; however, the value of the ADRs may not completely track the value of those shares. There are important differences between the rights of holders of ADRs and the rights of holders of the underlying common shares.  In addition, trading volume and pricing on the applicable non-U.S. exchange may, but will not necessarily, have similar characteristics as the ADRs.  For example, certain factors

may increase or decrease the public float of the ADRs and, as a result, the ADRs may have less liquidity or lower market value than the underlying common shares.

Exchange rate movements may adversely impact the value of an Underlying Stock that is an ADR. If an Underlying Stock is an ADR, the market price of that Underlying Stock will generally track the U.S. dollar value of the market price of its underlying common shares.  Therefore, if the value of the related foreign currency in which the underlying common shares are traded decreases relative to the U.S. dollar, the market price of that Underlying Stock may decrease while the market price of its underlying common shares remains stable or increases, or does not decrease to the same extent.  As a result, changes in, and the volatility of, the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the relevant non-U.S. currency could have an adverse impact on the value of that Underlying Stock and consequently, the value of your ARNs and the amount payable on ARNs.

Adverse trading conditions in the applicable non-U.S. market may negatively affect the value of an Underlying Stock that is an ADR.  Holders of an Underlying Company’s ADRs may usually surrender the ADRs in order to receive and trade the underlying common shares.  This provision permits investors in the ADRs to take advantage of price differentials between markets.  However, this provision may also cause the market prices of the applicable Underlying Stock to more closely correspond with the values of the common shares in the applicable non-U.S. markets.  As a result, a market outside of the United States for the underlying common shares that is not liquid may also result in an illiquid market for the ADRs, which may negatively impact the value of such ADRs and, consequently, the value of your ARNs.

Delisting of an Underlying Stock that is an ADR may adversely affect the value of ARNs.  If an Underlying Stock that is an ADR is no longer listed or admitted to trading on a U.S. securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act or included in the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board Service (the “OTC Bulletin Board”) operated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), or if the ADR facility between the Underlying Company and the ADR depositary is terminated for any reason, the Market Measure for ARNs will be deemed to be the Underlying Company’s common equity securities rather than the ADRs, and the calculation agent will determine the price of the Market Measure by reference to those common shares, as described below under “Description of the ARNs—Delisting of ADRs or Termination of ADR Facility.” Replacing the original ADRs with the underlying common shares may adversely affect the value of ARNs and the Redemption Amount.

Other Risk Factors Relating to an Underlying Stock

The applicable term sheet may set forth additional risk factors as to an Underlying Stock that you should review prior to purchasing the ARNs.

The U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ARNs are uncertain, and may be adverse to a holder of the ARNs.  No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the ARNs or securities similar to the ARNs for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ARNs are not certain. Under the terms of the ARNs, you will have agreed with us to treat the ARNs as pre-paid cash settled derivative contracts, as described under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary—General.” If the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) were successful in asserting an alternative characterization for the ARNs, the timing and character of gain or loss with respect to the ARNs may differ. No ruling will be requested from the IRS with respect to the ARNs and no assurance can be given

that the IRS will agree with the statements made in the section entitled “U.S. Federal Income Tax Summary.”

YOU ARE URGED TO CONSULT WITH YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING ALL ASPECTS OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF INVESTING IN THE ARNs.

USE OF PROCEEDS AND HEDGING

We will use the net proceeds we receive from each sale of the ARNs for the purposes described in the accompanying prospectus supplement under “Use of Proceeds.”  In addition, we expect that we or our affiliates may use a portion of the net proceeds to hedge our obligations under the ARNs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ARNS

General

Each issue of the ARNs will be part of a series of medium-term notes entitled “Senior Global Medium-Term Notes, Series I” that will be issued under the senior indenture, as amended and supplemented from time to time.  The senior indenture is described more fully in the prospectus and prospectus supplement.  The following description of the ARNs supplements and, to the extent it is inconsistent with, supersedes the description of the general terms and provisions of the notes and debt securities set forth under the headings “Description of the Notes We May Offer” in the prospectus supplement and “Description of Debt Securities” in the prospectus.  These documents should be read in connection with the applicable term sheet.

The maturity date of the ARNs and the aggregate principal amount of each issue of the ARNs will be stated in the applicable term sheet. If the scheduled maturity date is not a business day, we will make the required payment on the next business day, and no interest will accrue as a result of such delay.

We will not pay interest on the ARNs. The ARNs do not guarantee the return of principal at maturity. The ARNs will be payable only in U.S. dollars.

Prior to the maturity date, ARNs are not redeemable at our option, except under the limited circumstances as set forth below in “—Anti-Dilution Adjustments—Reorganization Events,” or repayable at the option of any holder.  The ARNs are not subject to any sinking fund. The ARNs are not subject to the defeasance provisions described in the prospectus under the caption “Description of Debt Securities—Defeasance.”

We will issue the ARNs in denominations of whole units.  Unless otherwise set forth in the applicable term sheet, each unit will have a principal amount of $10.  The CUSIP number for each issue of the ARNs will be set forth in the applicable term sheet.  You may transfer the ARNs only in whole units.

Payment at Maturity

At maturity, subject to our credit risk as issuer of the ARNs, you will receive a Redemption Amount, denominated in U.S. dollars. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, the “Redemption Amount” will be calculated as follows:

The Redemption Amount will not exceed the “Capped Value” set forth in the applicable term sheet.

The Redemption Amount will not be less than zero.

Your participation in any upside performance of the Market Measure underlying your ARNs will also be impacted by the Participation Rate.  The “Participation Rate” will be 300% for the ARNs unless otherwise set forth in the applicable term sheet.

Each applicable term sheet will provide examples of Redemption Amounts based on a range of hypothetical Ending Values.

The applicable term sheet will set forth information as to the specific Market Measure, including information as to the historical prices of the Underlying Stock or Underlying Stocks.  However, historical prices of any Underlying Stock are not indicative of its future performance or the performance of your ARNs.

An investment in ARNs does not entitle you to any ownership interest in or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Stock, including any voting rights, dividends paid or other distributions made by any Underlying Company.

The Starting Value and the Ending Value

Starting Value

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, the “Starting Value” will be the price of the Underlying Stock on the pricing date, determined as set forth in the applicable term sheet.

If the Market Measure consists of a Basket, the Starting Value will be equal to 100.  See “—Basket Market Measures.”

Ending Value

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, the “Ending Value” will equal the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the calculation day multiplied by its Price Multiplier on that day.

If the Market Measure consists of a Basket, the Ending Value of the Basket will be determined as described in “—Basket Market Measures.”

The “calculation day” means a trading day shortly before the maturity date. The calculation day will be set forth in the applicable term sheet.

A “business day” is any day other than a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law, regulation, or executive order to close or a day on which transactions in U.S. dollars are not conducted.

A “trading day” means a day on which trading is generally conducted (or was scheduled to have been generally conducted, but for the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event) on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and in the over-the-counter market for equity securities in the United States, or any successor exchange or market, or in the case of a security traded on one or more non-U.S. securities exchanges or markets, on the principal non-U.S. securities exchange or market for such security.

The “Closing Market Price” for one share of any Underlying Stock (or one unit of any other security for which a Closing Market Price must be determined) on any trading day means any of the following:

If the calculation day is not a trading day or if there is a Market Disruption Event on that day, the calculation day will be the immediately succeeding trading day during which no Market Disruption Event occurs or is continuing; provided that the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock will be determined (or, if not determinable, estimated) by the calculation agent in a manner which the calculation agent considers commercially reasonable on a date no later than the second scheduled trading day prior to the maturity date, regardless of the occurrence of a Market Disruption Event or non-trading day on that day.

The initial “Price Multiplier” for an Underlying Stock will be one, unless otherwise set forth in the applicable term sheet. The Price Multiplier for each Underlying Stock will be subject to adjustment for certain corporate events relating to that Underlying Stock described below under “—Anti-Dilution Adjustments.”

Market Disruption Events

As to any Underlying Stock (or any “successor Underlying Stock”, which is the common equity securities or the ADRs of a Successor Entity (as defined below)), a “Market Disruption Event” means any one or more of the following events, as determined by the calculation agent in its sole discretion:

For the purpose of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred:

Anti-Dilution Adjustments

As to any Underlying Stock (or successor Underlying Stock), the calculation agent, in its sole discretion, may adjust the Price Multiplier (and as a result, the Ending Value), and any

other terms of ARNs (such as the Starting Value), if an event described below occurs after the pricing date and on or before the calculation day and if the calculation agent determines that such event has a diluting or concentrative effect on the theoretical value of the shares of the Underlying Stock (or the successor Underlying Stock).

The Price Multiplier for an Underlying Stock resulting from any of the adjustments specified below will be rounded to the eighth decimal place with five one-billionths being rounded upward. No adjustments to the Price Multiplier will be required unless the adjustment would require a change of at least 0.1% in the Price Multiplier then in effect.  Any adjustment that would require a change of less than 0.1% in the Price Multiplier which is not applied at the time of the event may be reflected at the time of any subsequent adjustment that would require a change of the Price Multiplier. The required adjustments specified below do not cover all events that could affect an Underlying Stock.

No adjustments to the Price Multiplier for any Underlying Stock or any other terms of ARNs will be required other than those specified below. However, the calculation agent may, at its sole discretion, make additional adjustments or adjustments that differ from those described herein to the Price Multiplier or any other terms of ARNs to reflect changes to any Underlying Stock if the calculation agent determines that the adjustment is appropriate to ensure an equitable result.

The calculation agent will be solely responsible for the determination of any adjustments to the Price Multiplier for any Underlying Stock or any other terms of ARNs and of any related determinations with respect to any distributions of stock, other securities or other property or assets, including cash, in connection with any corporate event described below; its determinations and calculations will be conclusive absent a determination of a manifest error.

No adjustments are required to be made for certain other events, such as offerings of common equity securities by any Underlying Company for cash or in connection with the occurrence of a partial tender or exchange offer for any Underlying Stock by the Underlying Company.

Following an event that results in an adjustment to the Price Multiplier for any Underlying Stock or any of the other terms of ARNs, the calculation agent may (but is not required to) provide holders of ARNs with information about that adjustment as it deems appropriate, depending on the nature of the adjustment.  Upon written request by any holder of ARNs, the calculation agent will provide that holder with information about such adjustment.

Anti-Dilution Adjustments to Underlying Stocks that Are Common Equity

The calculation agent, in its sole discretion and as it deems reasonable, may adjust the Price Multiplier for any Underlying Stock and other terms of ARNs, and hence the Ending Value, as a result of certain events related to an Underlying Stock, which include, but are not limited to, the following:

Stock Splits and Reverse Stock Splits. If an Underlying Stock is subject to a stock split or reverse stock split, then once such split has become effective, the Price Multiplier for that Underlying Stock will be adjusted such that the new Price Multiplier will equal the product of:

For example, a two-for-one stock split would ordinarily change a Price Multiplier of one into a Price Multiplier of two.  In contrast, a one-for-two reverse stock split would ordinarily change a Price Multiplier of one into a Price Multiplier of one-half.

Stock Dividends.  If an Underlying Stock is subject to (i) a stock dividend (i.e., an issuance of additional shares of Underlying Stock) that is given ratably to all holders of the Underlying Stock or (ii) a distribution of additional shares of the Underlying Stock as a result of the triggering of any provision of the organizational documents of the Underlying Company, then, once the dividend has become effective and the Underlying Stock is trading ex-dividend, the Price Multiplier for that Underlying Stock will be adjusted on the ex-dividend date such that the new Price Multiplier will equal the prior Price Multiplier plus the product of:

provided that no adjustment will be made for a stock dividend for which the number of shares of the Underlying Stock paid or distributed is based on a fixed cash equivalent value, unless such distribution is an Extraordinary Dividend (as defined below).

For example, a stock dividend of one new share for each share held would ordinarily change a Price Multiplier of one into a Price Multiplier of two.

Extraordinary Dividends.  There will be no adjustments to the Price Multiplier of an Underlying Stock to reflect any cash dividends or cash distributions paid with respect to that Underlying Stock other than Extraordinary Dividends, as described below, and distributions described under the section entitled “—Reorganization Events” below.

An “Extraordinary Dividend” means, with respect to a cash dividend or other distribution with respect to an Underlying Stock, a dividend or other distribution that the calculation agent determines, in its sole discretion, is not declared or otherwise made according to the Underlying Company’s then existing policy or practice of paying such dividends on a quarterly or other regular basis. If an Extraordinary Dividend occurs, the Price Multiplier for that Underlying Stock will be adjusted on the ex-dividend date so that the new Price Multiplier will equal the product of:

The “Extraordinary Dividend Amount” with respect to an Extraordinary Dividend will equal:

Dividend minus the amount per share of the immediately preceding non-Extraordinary Dividend for that share; or

To the extent an Extraordinary Dividend is not paid in cash, the value of the non-cash component will be determined by the calculation agent, whose determination will be conclusive.  A distribution on the Underlying Stock described in the section “—Issuance of Transferable Rights or Warrants” or clause (a), (d) or (e) of the section entitled “—Reorganization Events” below that also constitutes an Extraordinary Dividend will only cause an adjustment under those respective sections.

Issuance of Transferable Rights or Warrants. If an Underlying Company issues transferable rights or warrants to all holders of record of the Underlying Stock to subscribe for or purchase the Underlying Stock, including new or existing rights to purchase the Underlying Stock under a shareholder rights plan or arrangement, then the Price Multiplier will be adjusted on the trading day immediately following the issuance of those transferable rights or warrants so that the new Price Multiplier will equal the prior Price Multiplier plus the product of:

The number of shares that can be purchased will be based on the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Stock on the date the new Price Multiplier is determined. The cash value of those warrants or rights, if the warrants or rights are traded on a registered national securities exchange, will equal the closing price of that warrant or right. If the warrants or rights are not traded on a registered national securities exchange, the cash value will be determined by the calculation agent and will equal the average of the bid prices obtained from three dealers at 3:00 p.m., New York time on the date the new Price Multiplier is determined, provided that if only two of those bid prices are available, then the cash value of those warrants or rights will equal the average of those bids and if only one of those bids is available, then the cash value of those warrants or rights will equal that bid.

Reorganization Events

If after the pricing date and on or prior to the calculation day, as to any Underlying Stock:

then, on or after the date of the occurrence of a Reorganization Event, the calculation agent shall, in its sole discretion, make an adjustment to the Price Multiplier or to the method of determining the Redemption Amount or any other terms of ARNs as the calculation agent, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate to account for the economic effect on ARNs of that Reorganization Event (including adjustments to account for changes in volatility, expected dividends, stock loan rate, or liquidity relevant to the Underlying Stock or to ARNs), which may, but need not, be determined by reference to the adjustment(s) made in respect of such Reorganization Event by an options exchange to options on the relevant Underlying Stock traded on that options exchange and determine the effective date of that adjustment.  If the calculation agent determines that no adjustment that it could make will produce a commercially reasonable result, then the calculation agent may cause the maturity date of ARNs to be accelerated to the fifth business day following the date of that determination and the Redemption Amount payable to you will be calculated as though the date of early repayment were the stated maturity date of ARNs and as though the calculation day were the fifth trading day prior to the date of acceleration.

If the Underlying Company ceases to file the financial and other information with the SEC in accordance with Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act, as contemplated by clause (i) above, and the calculation agent determines in its sole discretion that sufficiently similar information is not otherwise available to you, then the calculation agent may cause the maturity date of ARNs to be accelerated to the fifth business day following the date of that determination and the Redemption Amount payable to you will be calculated as though the date of early repayment were the stated maturity date of ARNs, and as though the calculation day were the fifth trading day prior to the date of acceleration.  If the calculation agent determines that sufficiently similar information is available to you, the Reorganization Event will be deemed to have not occurred.

Alternative Anti-Dilution and Reorganization Adjustments

The calculation agent may elect at its discretion not to make any of the adjustments to the Price Multiplier for any Underlying Stock or to any other terms of ARNs, including the method of determining the Redemption Amount,  described in this section, but may instead make adjustments, in its discretion, to the Price Multiplier for any Underlying Stock or any other terms of ARNs (such as the Starting Value) that will reflect the adjustments to the extent practicable made by the Options Clearing Corporation on options contracts on an Underlying Stock or any successor common stock. For example, if an Underlying Stock is subject to a two-for-one stock split, and the Options Clearing Corporation adjusts the strike prices of the options contract on that Underlying Stock by dividing the strike price by two, then the calculation agent may also elect to divide the Starting Value by two. In this case, the Price Multiplier will remain one. This adjustment would have the same economic effect on holders of ARNs as if the Price Multiplier had been adjusted.

Anti-Dilution Adjustments to Underlying Stocks that Are ADRs

For purposes of the anti-dilution adjustments set forth above, if an Underlying Stock is an ADR (an “Underlying ADR”), the calculation agent will consider the effect of any of the relevant events on the Underlying ADR, and adjustments will be made as if the Underlying ADR was the Underlying Stock described above.  For example, if the stock represented by the Underlying ADR is subject to a two-for-one stock split, and assuming an initial Price Multiplier of 1, the Price Multiplier for the Underlying ADR would be adjusted so that it equals two.  Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, with respect to ARNs linked to an Underlying ADR (or an Underlying Stock issued by a non-U.S. Underlying Company), the term “dividend” means the dividends paid to holders of the Underlying ADR (or the Underlying Stock issued by the non-U.S. Underlying Company), and such dividends may reflect the netting of any applicable foreign withholding or similar taxes that may be due on dividends paid to a U.S. person.

The calculation agent may determine not to make an adjustment if:

If the Underlying Company or the depositary for the ADRs, in the absence of any of the events described above, elects to adjust the number of common shares of the Underlying Company represented by each share of the Underlying ADR, then the calculation agent may make the appropriate anti-dilution adjustments to reflect such change. The depositary for the ADRs may also make adjustments in respect of the ADRs for share distributions, rights distributions, cash distributions and distributions other than shares, rights, and cash. Upon any such adjustment by the depositary, the calculation agent may adjust the Price Multiplier or other terms of ARNs as the calculation agent determines commercially reasonable to account for that event.

Delisting of ADRs or Termination of ADR Facility

If an Underlying ADR is no longer listed or admitted to trading on a U.S. securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act or included in the OTC Bulletin Board operated by FINRA, or if the ADR facility between the Underlying Company and the ADR depositary is terminated for any reason, then, on and after the date that the Underlying ADR is no longer so listed or admitted to trading or the date of such termination, as applicable (the “termination date”), the Underlying Stock will be deemed to be the Underlying Company’s common equity securities rather than the Underlying ADR. The calculation agent will determine the price of the Underlying Stock by reference to those common shares. Under such circumstances, the calculation agent may modify any terms of ARNs as it deems necessary, in its sole discretion, to ensure an equitable result. On and after the termination date, for all purposes, the Closing Market Price of the Underlying Company’s common shares on their primary exchange will be converted to U.S. dollars using such exchange rate as the calculation agent, in its sole discretion, determines to be commercially reasonable.

Underlying Stock

Any information regarding any Underlying Stock or any Underlying Company will be derived from publicly available documents. Any Underlying Stock will be registered under the Exchange Act. Information provided to or filed with the SEC by any Underlying Company can be located at the SEC’s facilities or through the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.  None of us, the agents, or our respective affiliates will have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of any of the information or reports of an Underlying Company.

The selection of an Underlying Stock is not a recommendation to buy or sell that Underlying Stock.  None of us, the agents or any of our respective subsidiaries or affiliates makes any representation to any purchaser of ARNs as to the performance of any Underlying Stock.

Basket Market Measures

If the Market Measure to which your ARNs are linked is a Basket, the Basket Stocks will be set forth in the applicable term sheet.  We will assign each Basket Stock a weighting (the “Initial Component Weight”) so that each Basket Stock represents a percentage of the Starting Value of the Basket on the pricing date.  The Basket Stocks may or may not have equal Initial Component Weights, as set forth in the applicable term sheet.

Determination of the Component Ratio for Each Basket Stock

The “Starting Value” of the Basket will be equal to 100.  We will set a fixed factor (the “Component Ratio”) for each Basket Stock on the pricing date, based upon the weighting of that Basket Stock.  The Component Ratio for each Basket Stock will equal:

Each Component Ratio will be rounded to eight decimal places.

The Component Ratios will be calculated in this way so that the Starting Value of the Basket will equal 100 on the pricing date.  The Component Ratios will not be revised subsequent to their determination on the pricing date, except that the calculation agent may in

its good faith judgment adjust the Component Ratio of any Basket Stock in the event that Basket Stock is materially changed or modified in a manner that does not, in the opinion of the calculation agent, fairly represent the value of that Basket Stock had those material changes or modifications not been made.

The following table is for illustration purposes only, and does not reflect the actual composition, Initial Component Weights, or Component Ratios, which will be set forth in the applicable term sheet.

Example: The hypothetical Basket Stocks are Stock ABC, Stock XYZ, and Stock RST, with their Initial Component Weights being 50.00%, 25.00% and 25.00%, respectively, on a hypothetical pricing date:

Ending Value of the Basket

The “Ending Value” of the Basket will be the value of the Basket on the calculation day. The value of the Basket will equal the sum of the products of the Closing Market Price of each Basket Stock on a trading day multiplied by its Price Multiplier on that day, and the Component Ratio for each Basket Stock.  The value of the Basket will vary based on the increase or decrease in the price of each Basket Stock.  Any increase in the price of a Basket Stock (assuming no change in the price of the other Basket Stock or Basket Stocks) will result in an increase in the value of the Basket.  Conversely, any decrease in the price of a Basket Stock (assuming no change in the price of the other Basket Stock or Basket Stocks) will result in a decrease in the value of the Basket.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, if, for any Basket Stock (an “Affected Basket Stock”), a Market Disruption Event occurs on the scheduled calculation day (such day being a “non-calculation day”) or, if the scheduled calculation day is determined by the calculation agent not to be a Market Measure Business Day by reason of an extraordinary event, occurrence, declaration or otherwise, the calculation agent will determine the prices of the Basket Stocks for that non-calculation day, and as a result, the Ending Value, as follows:

provided that references to “Underlying Stock” will be references to “Basket Stock.”

For purposes of determining whether a Market Disruption Event has occurred as to any Basket Stock, “Market Disruption Event” will have the meaning stated above in

“—Market Disruption Events.”

Role of the Calculation Agent

The calculation agent has the sole discretion to make all determinations regarding ARNs as described in this product supplement, including determinations regarding the Starting Value, the Ending Value, the Market Measure, the Price Multiplier, the Closing Market Price, the Redemption Amount, any Market Disruption Events, any anti-dilution adjustments, a successor Underlying Stock, business days, trading days and non-calculation days.  Absent manifest error, all determinations of the calculation agent will be conclusive for all purposes and final and binding on you and us, without any liability on the part of the calculation agent.

We expect to appoint BofAS or one of its affiliates as the calculation agent for each issue of ARNs.  However, we may change the calculation agent at any time without notifying you.  The identity of the calculation agent will be set forth in the applicable term sheet.

Payment of Additional Amounts

We will pay any amounts to be paid by us on the ARNs without deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any and all present or future income, stamp and other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings (“taxes”) now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of Canada or any Canadian political subdivision or authority that has the power to tax, unless the deduction or withholding is required by law or by the interpretation or administration thereof by the relevant governmental authority.  At any time a Canadian taxing jurisdiction requires us to deduct or withhold for or on account of taxes from any payment made under or in respect of the ARNs, we will pay such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary, so that the net amounts received by each holder (including Additional Amounts), after such deduction or withholding, shall not be less than the amount the holder would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required.

However, no Additional Amounts will be payable with respect to a payment made to a holder of an ARN or of a right to receive payments in respect thereto (a “Payment Recipient”), which we refer to as an “Excluded Holder,” in respect of any taxes imposed because the beneficial owner or Payment Recipient:

of (a) our voting shares, or (b) the fair market value of all of our issued and outstanding shares);

For the purposes of clause (iv) above, if an ARN is presented for payment more than 30 days after the relevant date, we shall only be required to pay such Additional Amounts as shall have accrued as of such 30th day, and no further Additional Amounts shall accrue or become payable after such date.

For the avoidance of doubt, we will not have any obligation to pay any holders Additional Amounts on any tax which is payable otherwise than by deduction or withholding from payments made under or in respect of the ARNs.

We will also make such withholding or deduction and remit the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant authority in accordance with applicable law.  We will furnish to the trustee, within 30 days after the date the payment of any Canadian taxes is due pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts evidencing that such payment has been made or other evidence of such payment satisfactory to the trustee.  We will indemnify and hold harmless each holder of the ARNs (other than an Excluded Holder) and upon written request reimburse each such holder for the amount of (x) any Canadian taxes so levied or imposed and paid by such holder as a result of payments made under or with respect to the ARNs and (y) any Canadian taxes levied or imposed and paid by such holder with respect to any reimbursement under (x) above, but excluding any such taxes on such holder’s net income or capital.

For additional information, see the section entitled “Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

The ARNs will be delivered in book-entry form only through The Depository Trust Company against payment by purchasers of the ARNs in immediately available funds.  We will pay the Redemption Amount in immediately available funds so long as the ARNs are maintained in book-entry form.

Events of Default and Acceleration

Events of default are defined in the senior indenture.  If such an event occurs and is continuing, unless otherwise stated in the applicable term sheet, the amount payable to a holder of the ARNs upon any acceleration permitted under the senior indenture will be equal to the Redemption Amount described under the caption “—Payment at Maturity,” determined as if the date of acceleration were the maturity date of the ARNs and as if the calculation day were the fifth trading day prior to the date of acceleration.

If a bankruptcy proceeding is commenced in respect of us, your claim may be limited under applicable bankruptcy law. In case of a default in payment of the ARNs, whether at their maturity or upon acceleration, they will not bear a default interest rate.

For additional discussion of these matters, please see the discussion in the prospectus under the headings “Description of Debt Securities—Modification and Waiver of the Debt Securities” beginning on page 10 and “—Events of Default” beginning on page 15.

Listing

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable term sheet, the ARNs will not be listed on a securities exchange.

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

BofAS and one or more of its affiliates may act as our agents for any offering of the ARNs.  The agents may act on either a principal basis or an agency basis, as set forth in the applicable term sheet.  Each agent will be a party to the distribution agreement described in the “Supplemental Plan of Distribution” on page S-42 of the accompanying prospectus supplement.

Each agent will receive an underwriting discount that is a percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the ARNs sold through its efforts, which will be set forth in the applicable term sheet.  You must have an account with the applicable agent in order to purchase the ARNs.

None of the agents is acting as your fiduciary or advisor solely as a result of the making of any offering of the ARNs, and you should not rely upon this product supplement, the applicable term sheet, or the accompanying prospectus or prospectus supplement as investment advice or a recommendation to purchase any ARNs.  You should make your own investment decision regarding the ARNs after consulting with your legal, tax, and other advisors.

BofAS and its affiliates may use this product supplement, the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus, together with the applicable term sheet, in market-making transactions for any ARNs after their initial sale solely for the purpose of providing investors with the description of the terms of the ARNs that were made available to investors in connection with the initial distribution of the ARNs.  Secondary market investors should not, and will not be authorized to, rely on these documents for information regarding Royal Bank of Canada or for any purpose other than that described in the immediately preceding sentence.

CANADIAN FEDERAL INCOME TAX SUMMARY

An investor should read carefully the description of material Canadian federal income tax considerations relevant to a Non-resident Holder owning debt securities under “Tax Consequences—Canadian Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus.

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX SUMMARY

The following summary of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of the ARNs supplements, and to the extent inconsistent supersedes, the discussions under “Tax Consequences - United States Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus and under “Certain Income Tax Consequences - United States Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations. This summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), regulations promulgated under the Code by the U.S. Treasury Department (“Treasury”) (including proposed and temporary regulations), rulings, current administrative interpretations and official pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), and judicial decisions, all as currently in effect and all of which are subject to differing interpretations or to change, possibly with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert, or that a court would not sustain, a position contrary to any of the tax consequences described below. This summary does not include any description of the tax laws of any state or local governments, or of any foreign government, that may be applicable to a particular holder. Further, this discussion does not address the tax consequences applicable to any holders under Section 451(b) of the Code. If the tax consequences associated with the ARNs are different than those described below, they will be described in the applicable term sheet.

This summary is directed solely to U.S. holders and non-U.S. holders that, except as otherwise specifically noted, will purchase the ARNs upon original issuance and will hold the ARNs as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code, which generally means property held for investment, and that are not excluded from the discussion under “Tax Consequences — United States Taxation” in the accompanying prospectus.

You should consult your own tax advisor concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences to you of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the ARNs, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local, foreign, or other tax jurisdiction and the possible effects of changes in U.S. federal or other tax laws.

General

Although there is no statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addressing the characterization of the ARNs, in the opinion of our counsel, Ashurst LLP, it would generally be reasonable to treat the ARNs with terms described in this product supplement as pre-paid cash settled derivative contracts with respect to the Market Measure and under the terms of the ARNs, every investor in the ARNs agree, in the absence of an administrative determination or judicial ruling to the contrary, to treat the ARNs for all tax purposes in accordance with such characterization.  This discussion assumes that the ARNs constitute pre-paid cash settled derivative contracts with respect to the Market Measure for U.S. federal income tax purposes.  If the ARNs did not constitute pre-paid cash settled derivative contracts, the tax consequences described below would be materially different.

This characterization of the ARNs is not binding on the IRS or the courts.  No statutory, judicial, or administrative authority directly addresses the characterization of the ARNs or any similar instruments for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and no ruling is being requested from

the IRS with respect to their proper characterization and treatment.  Due to the absence of authorities on point, significant aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ARNs are not certain, and no assurance can be given that the IRS or any court will agree with the characterization and tax treatment described in this product supplement.  Accordingly, you are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the ARNs, including possible alternative characterizations.

Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the characterization described above.  The discussion in this section assumes that there is a significant possibility of a significant loss of principal on an investment in the ARNs.

We will not attempt to ascertain whether the issuer of any component stocks included in the Market Measure would be treated as a “passive foreign investment company” (“PFIC”), within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code, or a United States real property holding corporation, within the meaning of Section 897(c) of the Code.  If the issuer of one or more stocks included in the Market Measure were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences could possibly apply to a holder of the ARNs. You should refer to information filed with the SEC by the issuers of the component stocks included in the Market Measure and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you, if any, if any issuer of the component stocks included in the Market Measure is or becomes a PFIC or is or becomes a United States real property holding corporation.

U.S. Holders

Upon receipt of a cash payment at maturity or upon a sale or exchange of the ARNs prior to maturity, a U.S. holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the ARNs.  A U.S. holder’s tax basis in the ARNs will equal the amount paid by that holder to acquire them. This capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder held the ARNs for more than one year. The holding period for the ARNs of a U.S. holder who acquires the ARNs upon issuance will generally begin on the date after the issue date (i.e., the settlement date) of the ARNs. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Alternative Tax Treatments. Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper tax treatment of the ARNs, prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding all possible alternative tax treatments of an investment in the ARNs.  In particular, if the ARNs have a term that exceeds one year, the IRS could seek to subject the ARNs to the Treasury regulations governing contingent payment debt instruments.  If the IRS were successful in that regard, the timing and character of income on the ARNs would be affected significantly.  Among other things, a U.S. holder would be required to accrue original issue discount every year at a “comparable yield” determined at the time of issuance.  In addition, any gain realized by a U.S. holder at maturity, or upon a sale or exchange, of the ARNs generally would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss realized at maturity would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent of the U.S. holder’s prior accruals of original issue discount, and as capital loss thereafter. If the ARNs have a term of one year or less, the ARNs would generally be subject to the rules concerning short-term debt instruments as described under the heading “Tax Consequences — United States Taxation — Original Issue Discount — Short-Term Debt Securities” in the accompanying prospectus.

The IRS released Notice 2008-2 (“Notice”), which sought comments from the public on the taxation of financial instruments currently taxed as “prepaid forward contracts.”  This Notice addresses instruments such as the ARNs.  According to the Notice, the IRS and Treasury are considering whether a holder of an instrument such as the ARNs should be

required to accrue ordinary income on a current basis, regardless of whether any payments are made prior to maturity.  It is not possible to determine what guidance the IRS and Treasury will ultimately issue, if any.  Any such future guidance may affect the amount, timing and character of income, gain, or loss in respect of the ARNs, possibly with retroactive effect.

The IRS and Treasury are also considering additional issues, including whether additional gain or loss from such instruments should be treated as ordinary or capital, whether foreign holders of such instruments should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accruals, whether Section 1260 of the Code, concerning certain “constructive ownership transactions,” generally applies or should generally apply to such instruments, and whether any of these determinations depend on the nature of the underlying asset.

Further, future legislation, including legislation based on bills previously introduced in Congress, may tax all derivative instruments on a mark-to-market basis, requiring holders of such derivative instruments to take into account annually gains and losses on such instruments as ordinary income.  The adoption of such legislation or similar proposals may significantly impact the tax consequences from an investment in the ARNs, including the timing and character of income and gain on the ARNs.

In addition, proposed Treasury regulations require the accrual of income on a current basis for contingent payments made under certain notional principal contracts. The preamble to the regulations states that the “wait and see” method of accounting does not properly reflect the economic accrual of income on those contracts, and requires current accrual of income for some contracts already in existence. While the proposed regulations do not apply to prepaid forward contracts, the preamble to the proposed regulations expresses the view that similar timing issues exist in the case of prepaid forward contracts. If the IRS or Treasury publishes future guidance requiring current economic accrual for contingent payments on prepaid forward contracts, it is possible that you could be required to accrue income over the term of the ARNs.

Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of the ARNs, it is also possible that the IRS could seek to characterize the ARNs in a manner that results in tax consequences that are different from those described above. For example, the IRS could possibly assert that any gain or loss that a holder may recognize at maturity or upon sale or exchange of the ARNs should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.  It is possible that the IRS could assert that a U.S. Holder’s holding period in respect of the ARNs should end on the applicable calculation day, even though such holder will not receive any amounts in respect of the ARNs prior to the redemption or maturity of the ARNs. In such case, if the applicable calculation day is not in excess of one year from the original issue date, a U.S. holder may be treated as having a holding period in respect of the ARNs equal to one year or less, in which case any gain or loss such holder recognizes at such time would be treated as short-term capital gain or loss.

Non-U.S. Holders

The following discussion applies to non-U.S. holders of the ARNs. A non-U.S. holder is a beneficial owner of an ARN that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is a non-resident alien individual, a foreign corporation, or a foreign estate or trust.

A non-U.S. holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax for amounts paid in respect of the ARNs, provided that the non-U.S. holder complies with applicable certification requirements and that the payment is not effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a U.S. trade or business.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, gain from the sale or exchange of the ARNs or their settlement at maturity may be subject to

U.S. federal income tax if that non-U.S. holder is a non-resident alien individual and is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the settlement at maturity, sale or exchange and certain other conditions are satisfied.

If a non-U.S. holder of the ARNs is engaged in the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. and if gain realized on the settlement at maturity, sale or exchange of the ARNs, is effectively connected with the conduct of such trade or business (and, if certain tax treaties apply, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the U.S.), the non-U.S. holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such gain on a net income basis in the same manner as if it were a U.S. holder.  Such non-U.S. holders should read the material under the heading “—U.S. Holders,” for a description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of the ARNs.  In addition, if such non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, it may also be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% (or such lower rate provided by any applicable tax treaty) of a portion of its earnings and profits for the taxable year that are effectively connected with its conduct of a trade or business in the U.S., subject to certain adjustments.

Under Section 871(m) of the Code, a “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable treaty) U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder.  Under Treasury regulations, certain 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 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 Treasury and the IRS intend to amend the effective date of the Treasury 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, 2023. Accordingly, if the ARNs are not delta-one instruments and issued before January 1, 2023, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the ARNs. However, it is possible that the ARNs could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the underlying Market Measure or the ARNs, and following such occurrence the ARNs 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 underlying Market Measure or the ARNs should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the ARNs and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the withholding paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.

As discussed above, alternative characterizations of the ARNs for U.S. federal income tax purposes are possible.  Should an alternative characterization, by reason of change or clarification of the law, by regulation or otherwise, cause payments as to the ARNs to become subject to withholding tax, tax will be withheld at the applicable statutory rate.  As discussed above, the IRS has indicated in the Notice that it is considering whether income in respect of instruments such as the ARNs should be subject to withholding tax.  Prospective non-U.S. holders of the ARNs should consult their own tax advisors in this regard.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax. Under current law, while the matter is not entirely clear, individual non-U.S. holders, and entities whose property is potentially includible in those individuals’ gross estates for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, the ARNs may be treated as U.S.

situs property, subject to U.S. federal estate tax. These individuals and entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in the ARNs.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Payments made with respect to the ARNs and proceeds from the sale of the ARNs may be subject to a backup withholding tax unless, in general, the holder complies with certain procedures or is an exempt recipient. Any amounts so withheld generally will be refunded by the IRS or allowed as a credit against the holder's U.S. federal income tax, provided the holder makes a timely filing of an appropriate tax return or refund claim.

Reports will be made to the IRS and to holders that are not excepted from the reporting requirements.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on certain U.S. source payments, including interest (and OID), dividends, and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income (“Withholdable Payments”), if paid to a foreign financial institution (including amounts paid to a foreign financial institution on behalf of a holder), unless such institution enters into an agreement with Treasury to collect and provide to Treasury certain information regarding U.S. financial account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, with such institution or otherwise complies with FATCA.  In addition, the ARNs may constitute a “financial account” for these purposes and thus, be subject to information reporting requirements pursuant to FATCA. FATCA also generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on Withholdable Payments made to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial U.S. owners of the entity.  Under certain circumstances, a holder may be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

The U.S. Treasury Department has proposed regulations that eliminate the requirement of FATCA withholding on payments of gross proceeds upon the sale or disposition of financial instruments of a type which can produce U.S. source interest or dividends.  The U.S. Treasury Department has indicated that taxpayers may rely on these proposed regulations pending their finalization, and the discussion above assumes the proposed regulations will be finalized in their proposed form with retroactive effect. If we (or the applicable withholding agent) determine withholding is appropriate with respect to the ARNs, we will withhold tax at the applicable statutory rate, and we will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. Foreign financial institutions and non-financial foreign entities located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States governing FATCA may be subject to different rules. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in the ARNs.

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