PRODUCT
SUPPLEMENT
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Product
Supplement No. 4-I to
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(TO
PROSPECTUS DATED FEBRUARY 8, 2010
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Registration
Statement Nos. 333-162193 and 333-162193-01
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AND
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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Dated
February 24, 2010
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DATED
FEBRUARY 8, 2010)
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Rule
424(b)(2)
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The
Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.
RBS
NotesSM
Senior
Floating Rate Notes
fully
and unconditionally guaranteed by
ABN
AMRO Holding N.V.
CPI
Rate Notes
The amount of
interest payable on the CPI Rate Notes, which we will refer to as the “Notes,”
will be linked in whole or in part to changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Unless otherwise specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, the Consumer
Price Index for purposes of the Notes is the non-seasonally adjusted U.S. City
Average All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers reported monthly
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor and reported
on Bloomberg or any successor service.
Any
payment on the Notes is subject to the creditworthiness (i.e., the ability to pay) of
The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. and ABN AMRO Holding N.V., as
guarantor.
This Product
Supplement describes terms that will apply generally to the Notes and
supplements the terms described in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement and
Prospectus. A separate term sheet or pricing supplement, as the case may be,
will describe terms that apply to any specific issue of Notes, including any
changes to the terms specified below. We refer to such term sheets and pricing
supplements generally as Pricing Supplements. If the terms described in the
relevant Pricing Supplement are inconsistent with those described herein or in
the accompanying Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus, the terms described in the
relevant Pricing Supplement shall control.
The Notes are our
unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and are fully and unconditionally
guaranteed by ABN AMRO Holding N.V.
The
Notes are not bank deposits and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Deposit Insurance Fund or any other
governmental agency.
The
Notes involve risks not associated with an investment in conventional debt
securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on PS-6.
The Securities and
Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or
disapproved these Notes, or determined if this Product Supplement, the
Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus or any relevant Pricing Supplement are
truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
The agents are not
obligated to purchase the Notes but have agreed to use reasonable efforts to
solicit offers to purchase the Notes. To the extent the full aggregate
principal amount of the Notes being offered by the relevant Pricing Supplement
is not purchased by investors in the offering, one or more of our affiliates may
agree to purchase a part of the unsold portion, which may constitute up to 15%
of the total aggregate principal amount of the Notes, and to hold such Notes for
investment purposes. See “Holding of the Notes by Our Affiliates and Future
Sales” under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of
Interest).” The relevant Pricing Supplement, this Product Supplement, the
accompanying Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus may be used by our affiliates
in connection with offers and sales of the Notes in market-making
transactions.
RBS
Securities Inc.
In
this Product Supplement, the “Bank,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to The Royal
Bank of Scotland N.V. and “Holding” refers to ABN AMRO Holding N.V., our parent
company. We refer to the Notes offered by the relevant Pricing
Supplement and the related guarantees as the “Notes” and to each individual
security offered thereby as a “Note.”
RBS NotesSM is a
service mark of The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.
Any
Notes issued, sold or distributed pursuant to the relevant Pricing Supplement
may not be offered or sold (i) to any person/entity listed on sanctions lists of
the European Union, United States or any other applicable local competent
authority; (ii) within the territory of Cuba, Sudan, Iran and Myanmar; (iii) to
residents in Cuba, Sudan, Iran or Myanmar; or (iv) to Cuban Nationals, wherever
located.
SUMMARY
The
following summary answers some questions that you might have regarding the Notes
in general terms only. It does not contain all the information that may be
important to you. You should read the summary together with the more detailed
information that is contained in the rest of this Product Supplement and in the
accompanying Pricing Supplement, Prospectus and Prospectus Supplement. You
should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk
Factors.” In addition, we urge you to consult with your investment, legal,
accounting, tax and other advisors with respect to any investment in the
Notes.
What
are the Notes?
The Notes are
senior notes issued by us, The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V., and are fully and
unconditionally guaranteed by our parent company, ABN AMRO Holding N.V. The
Notes have a maturity that will be specified in the relevant Pricing
Supplement. The Notes are floating rate debt securities paying a
variable interest rate linked to changes in the Consumer Price Index, which we
refer to as the CPI. Unless otherwise specified in the relevant
Pricing Supplement, the CPI for purposes of the Notes is the non-seasonally
adjusted U.S. City Average All Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban
Consumers reported monthly by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S.
Department of Labor and reported on Bloomberg or any successor
service.
What
will I receive at maturity of the Notes?
At
maturity, you will receive, for each $1,000 principal amount Note, a cash
payment equal to $1,000, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if
any). Any payment on
the Notes is subject to the creditworthiness of The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.,
as issuer, and ABN AMRO Holding N.V., as guarantor.
What
interest payments can I expect on the Notes?
Unless otherwise
specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, the interest accrued for each
interest payment period on the Notes will equal the product of the outstanding
principal amount of the Notes, the interest rate and the number of days in the
interest payment period (calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with
twelve months of thirty days each) divided by 360.
The interest rate
for each interest payment period is a fixed rate or is linked to the change in
the CPI as described below under “How is the interest rate
calculated?” The interest rate will never be less than the minimum
interest rate, regardless of changes in the CPI. The minimum interest
rate will be specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement and will not be less
than 0.00%. The relevant Pricing Supplement may also specify a
maximum interest rate. If a maximum interest rate applies, the
interest rate will never be greater than the maximum interest rate, regardless
of changes in the CPI.
Unless otherwise
specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, accrued and unpaid interest on the
Notes is payable in arrears on each interest payment date. The
relevant Pricing Supplement will specify the interest payment periods and the
interest payment dates. No interest payment date will be more than
twelve months after the immediately prior interest payment date or the issue
date of the Notes, as applicable.
How
is the interest rate calculated?
For each interest
payment period, the relevant Pricing Supplement will specify whether the
interest rate is
(a) the CPI rate
(as described below) applicable to such interest payment period plus an
additional amount of interest, referred to as the spread;
(b) the CPI rate
applicable to such interest payment period multiplied by a number, referred to
as the spread multiplier; or
(c) a fixed
rate.
In no case will the interest rate for
the Notes for any interest payment period be less than the minimum interest rate
or, if applicable, greater than the maximum interest rate, regardless of changes
in the CPI. The minimum interest rate will be at least
0.00%. The relevant Pricing Supplement will specify the spread,
spread multiplier or fixed rate, as applicable, for each interest payment
period. The interest rate will be linked to the CPI rate for one or
more interest payment periods.
The CPI rate for
any interest payment period will be calculated on the interest determination
date for such interest payment period, in accordance with the following
formula:
CPI
rate =
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CPIt –
CPIt-x
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CPIt-x
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where:
CPIt = CPI for
a calendar month prior to the calendar month of the applicable interest reset
date, which we refer to as the reference month, as specified in the relevant
Pricing Supplement; and
CPIt-x = CPI
for a calendar month prior to the applicable reference month, as specified in
the relevant Pricing Supplement.
Can
you give me an example of the interest rate payable on the Notes?
Please refer to the
relevant Pricing Supplement for an example of the interest rate payable on the
Notes.
Do
I get all my principal back at maturity?
Subject to the
creditworthiness of The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V., as the issuer of the Notes,
and ABN AMRO Holding N.V., as the guarantor of the issuer’s obligations under
the Notes, you will receive at maturity $1,000 per $1,000 principal amount of
Notes. However, if
you sell the Notes prior to maturity, you will receive the market price for the
Notes, which may or may not include any return of
principal. There may be little or no secondary market for the
Notes. Accordingly, you should be willing to hold your Notes until
maturity.
What
is the minimum required purchase?
Unless otherwise
specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, you can purchase Notes in $1,000
denominations or in integral multiples thereof.
Is
there a secondary market for the Notes?
Unless otherwise
specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, the Notes will not be listed on
any securities exchange. Accordingly, there may be little or no secondary market
for the Notes and, as such, information regarding independent market pricing for
the Notes may be extremely limited or non-existent. You should be
willing to hold your Notes until the maturity date.
Although it is not
required to do so, we have been informed by our affiliate that when this
offering is complete, it intends to make purchases and sales of the Notes from
time to time in off-exchange transactions. If our affiliate does make
such a market in the Notes, it may stop doing so at any time.
In
connection with any secondary market activity in the Notes, our affiliate may
post indicative prices for the Notes on a designated website or via Bloomberg.
However, our affiliate is not required to post such indicative prices and may
stop doing so at any time. Investors are advised that any prices
shown on any website or Bloomberg page are indicative prices only and, as such,
there can be no assurance that any trade could be executed at such
prices. Investors should contact their brokerage firm for
further information.
In
addition, the issue price of the Notes includes the selling agents’ commissions
paid with respect to the Notes and the cost of hedging our obligations under the
Notes. The cost of hedging includes the profit component that our
affiliate has charged in consideration for assuming the risks inherent in
managing the hedging of the transactions. The fact that the issue
price of the Notes includes these commissions and hedging costs is expected to
adversely affect the secondary market prices of the Notes. See “Risk Factors —
The Inclusion of Commissions and Cost of Hedging in the Issue Price is Likely to
Adversely Affect Secondary Market Prices” and “Use of Proceeds.”
What
is the tax treatment of the Notes?
Notes comprising
each issuance under this Product Supplement will be treated either as
“contingent payment debt instruments” or as “variable rate debt instruments” for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, depending on the terms of such Notes and
current and expected future levels of the CPI at the time of
issuance. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” for discussion
of these treatments. Each Pricing Supplement will indicate the
expected treatment of the Notes offered pursuant to that Pricing
Supplement.
See “U.S. Federal
Income Tax Consequences” for additional discussion regarding the U.S. federal
income tax treatment of the Notes.
What
is the CPI?
The CPI for
purposes of the Notes is the non-seasonally adjusted U.S. City Average All Items
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, reported monthly by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor (the “BLS”) and published on
Bloomberg CPURNSA or any successor source. You should read “Public
Information Regarding the CPI” in this Product Supplement for additional
information regarding the CPI.
Tell
me more about The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. and ABN AMRO Holding
N.V.
The Royal Bank of
Scotland N.V. is the new name of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. See “The Royal
Bank of Scotland N.V. and ABN AMRO Holding N.V.” in the accompanying prospectus
dated February 8, 2010.
What
is the relationship between The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V., ABN Amro Holding
N.V. and RBS Securities Inc.?
RBS Securities
Inc., which we refer to as RBSSI, is an affiliate of The Royal Bank of Scotland
N.V. and ABN AMRO Holding N.V. RBSSI will act as calculation agent for the
Notes, and is acting as agent for this offering. RBSSI will conduct this
offering in compliance with the requirements of NASD Rule 2720 of the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, which is commonly referred to as FINRA, regarding
a FINRA member firm’s distribution of the securities of an affiliate. See “Risk
Factors — Potential Conflicts of Interest between Holders of Notes and the
Calculation Agent” and “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in this
Product Supplement.
Who
will determine the CPI rate and the interest rate on each interest determination
date?
We
have appointed our affiliate, RBS Securities Inc., which we refer to as RBSSI,
to act as calculation agent for the Notes. As calculation agent, RBSSI will
determine the interest rate and, if applicable, the CPI rate on each interest
determination date. The calculation agent may be required, due to
events beyond our control, to adjust any of these calculations, which we
describe “Description of Notes — Discontinuance of the CPI; Alteration of Method
of Calculation.”
Who
invests in the Notes?
The Notes are not
suitable for all investors. The Notes might be considered by
investors who:
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prefer an
investment that returns the principal amount at maturity, subject to the
creditworthiness of the Bank, as issuer of the Notes, and Holding, as the
guarantor of the Bank’s obligations under the
Notes;
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are willing
to accept the risk that a decrease in the CPI may result in an interest
rate equal to the minimum interest rate, which could be zero;
and
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are willing
to hold the Notes until maturity.
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You should
carefully consider whether the Notes are suited to your particular circumstances
before you decide to purchase them. In addition, we urge you to
consult with your investment, legal, accounting, tax and other advisors with
respect to any investment in the Notes.
What
are some of the risks in owning the Notes?
Investing in the
Notes involves a number of risks. We have described the most
significant risks relating to the Notes under the heading “Risk Factors” in this
Product Supplement, which you should read before making an investment in the
Notes.
Some selected risk
considerations include:
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CPI
Risk. Because the interest rate payable on the Notes for
some or all interest payment periods will be linked to changes in the CPI,
if the level of the CPI decreases or does not increase, you may receive
lower or no interest for one or more interest payment
periods. Additionally, if the Bureau of Labor Statistics
changes the way the CPI is calculated, this may also result in lower or no
interest payments on the Notes. The interest rate paid on the Notes and
consequently the value of the Notes may be less than the rate on interest
rate debt securities with the same maturity issued by us or an issuer with
a comparable credit rating.
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Credit
Risk. Because you are purchasing a security from us, you
are assuming our credit risk. In addition, because the Notes
are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Holding, you are also assuming
the credit risk of Holding in the event that we fail to make any payment
required by the terms of the Notes. This means that if The
Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. or Holding fail, become insolvent or are
otherwise unable to pay their obligations under the Notes, you could lose
some or all of your initial principal
investment.
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Liquidity
Risk. Unless otherwise specified in the relevant Pricing
Supplement, the Notes will not be listed on any securities
exchange. Accordingly, there may be little or no secondary
market for the Notes and information regarding independent market pricing
for the Notes may be very limited or non-existent. If you sell your Notes
in the secondary market, if any, prior to maturity, you will receive the
market price of the Notes, which could be zero. The value of
the Notes in the secondary market, if any, will be subject to many
unpredictable factors, including then prevailing market
conditions. Since the issue price includes and secondary market
transactions are likely to exclude the agents’ commissions paid with
respect to the Notes and the cost of hedging our obligations under the
Notes, the secondary market prices of the Notes are expected to be
adversely affected.
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What
if I have more questions?
You should read
“Description of Notes” in this Product Supplement for a detailed description of
the general terms of the Notes. The relevant Pricing Supplement will
describe the terms that apply specifically to the Notes. The Notes
are senior notes issued as part of our RBS NotesSM program
and guaranteed by Holding. The Notes offered by us will constitute
our unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and rank pari passu without any
preference among them and with all our other present and future unsecured and
unsubordinated obligations. The guarantee of Holding will constitute Holding’s
unsecured and unsubordinated obligation and rank pari passu without any
preference among them and with all Holding’s other present and future unsecured
and unsubordinated obligations. You can find a general description of
our RBS NotesSM program
in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement. We also describe the basic
features of this type of note in the sections of the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement called “Description of Notes” and “Notes Linked to Commodity Prices,
Single Securities, Economic or Financial Measures and Baskets or Indices
Thereof.”
You may contact our
principal executive offices at Gustav Mahleraan 10, 1082 PP Amsterdam, The
Netherlands. Our telephone number is (31-20) 628-9393.
RISK
FACTORS
This section
describes the most significant risks relating to the Notes. For a discussion of
certain general risks associated with your investment in the Notes, please refer
to the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-2 of the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement. You should carefully consider whether
the Notes are suited to your particular circumstances before you decide to
purchase them. In addition, we urge you to consult with your
investment, legal, accounting, tax and other advisors with respect to any
investment in the Notes.
The
Notes Are Not Ordinary Senior Notes; the Interest Rate on the Notes Could Be
Zero
The terms of the
Notes differ from those of ordinary debt securities in that interest rate on the
Notes for some or all interest payment periods will be linked to changes in the
level of the CPI determined each interest payment period over the term of the
Notes.
For interest
payment periods where the interest rate includes a spread, investors in the
Notes will receive an interest payment for the applicable interest payment
period equal to the change in the CPI over the relevant measurement period,
whether positive or negative, plus a spread, as set forth in the relevant
Pricing Supplement. If the CPI neither increases nor decreases during
a relevant measurement period, which is likely to occur when there is little or
no inflation or deflation, you will receive interest payments for that interest
payment period equal to the spread. In the event of a decrease in the CPI over
the relevant measurement period, such as in periods of deflation, an investor in
the Notes will receive an interest payment for the applicable interest payment
period that is less than the spread (but not less than the minimum interest
rate). If the CPI declines over the relevant measurement period by an amount
equal to or greater than the spread, which is likely to occur when there is
significant deflation, investors in the Notes will not receive an interest
payment with respect to that interest payment
period. In that event, with respect to such
interest payment periods, you will not be compensated for any loss in value due
to inflation and other factors relating to the value of money over
time.
For interest
payment periods where the interest rate includes a spread multiplier, investors
in the Notes will receive an interest payment for the applicable interest
payment period equal to the increase in the CPI over the relevant measurement
period, if any, times the spread multiplier, as set forth in the relevant
Pricing Supplement. Therefore, in the event of a decrease in the CPI (or no
change in the CPI) over the relevant measurement period, such as in periods of
deflation, an investor in the Notes will not receive an interest payment with
respect to that interest payment period. In that event, with respect to such
interest payment periods, you will not be compensated for any loss in value due
to inflation and other factors relating to the value of money over
time.
The
Amount Of Interest Payable On The Notes In Any Interest Payment Period May Be
Capped
If
the relevant Pricing Supplement specifies a maximum interest rate, the interest
rate on the Notes will be capped for at the maximum interest rate, regardless of
changes in the CPI. Accordingly, in periods of moderate to high
inflation, as measured by the CPI, you may not receive the full benefit of the
increase in the CPI for corresponding interest payment period due to the maximum
interest rate.
The
Interest Rate on the Notes May Be Below the Rate Otherwise Payable on Similar
Floating Rate Securities Issued by Us
The interest rate
and therefore the value of the Notes is based on the level of the CPI as
determined on the applicable interest determination date. If the
level of the CPI decreases, does not change or does not sufficiently increase,
your return on the Notes may be less than returns on similar floating rate
securities with the same maturity issued by us that are not linked to the
CPI. You should consider, among other things, the overall annual
percentage rate of interest to maturity as compared to other equivalent
investment alternatives. We have no control over the fluctuations in
the value of the CPI.
The
Interest Rate On The Notes May Not Reflect The Actual Levels Of Inflation
Affecting You
The CPI is just one
measure of inflation and may not reflect the actual levels of inflation
affecting you. Accordingly, an investment in the Notes may not fully
offset any inflation actually experienced by investors in the
Notes.
The
Historical Levels of the CPI Are Not an Indication of the Future Levels of the
CPI
The historical
levels of the CPI are not an indication of the future levels of the CPI over the
term of the Notes. In the past, the CPI has experienced periods of volatility
and such volatility may occur in the future. Fluctuations and trends in the CPI
that have occurred in the past are not necessarily indicative, however, of
fluctuations that may occur in the future.
Except for those
interest payment periods, if any, for which the applicable interest rate is a
fixed rate, you will receive interest payments that will be affected by changes
in the CPI. Such changes may be significant. Changes in the CPI are a function
of the changes in specified consumer prices over time, which result from the
interaction of many factors over which we have no control.
The
CPI Itself and the Way It Is Calculated May Change in the Future Which Could
Adversely Affect the Value of the Notes
Except for those
interest payment periods, if any, for which the applicable interest rate is a
fixed rate, your interest rate is based on the CPI. There can be no
assurance that the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Labor Department,
which we refer to as the BLS, will not change the method by which it calculates
the CPI. Changes in the way the CPI is calculated could reduce the level of the
CPI and lower the interest payments with respect to the
Notes. Accordingly, the amount of interest, if any, payable on the
Notes, and therefore the value of the Notes, may be significantly reduced. In
addition, if the CPI is substantially altered, or discontinued, a substitute
index may be employed to calculate the interest payable on the Notes, as
described in “Description of Notes – Discontinuance of the CPI; Alteration of
Method of Calculation” below, and that substitution may also adversely affect
the value of the Notes. We have no control over the way the CPI is
calculated.
Credit
Risk of The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. and ABN AMRO Holding N.V., and their
Credit Ratings and Credit Spreads May Adversely Affect the Market Value of the
Notes
You are dependent
on The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.’s ability to pay all amounts due on the
Notes, and therefore you are subject to the credit risk of The Royal Bank of
Scotland N.V. and to changes in the market’s view of The Royal Bank of Scotland
N.V.’s creditworthiness. In addition, because the Notes are unconditionally
guaranteed by The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V.’s parent company, ABN AMRO Holding
N.V., you are also dependent on the credit risk of ABN AMRO Holding N.V. in the
event that The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. fails to make any payment required by
the terms of the Notes. Any actual or anticipated decline in The
Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. or ABN AMRO Holding N.V.’s credit ratings or
increase in their credit spreads charged by the market for taking credit risk is
likely to adversely affect the value of the Notes.
Our credit ratings
are an assessment, by each rating agency, of our ability to pay our obligations,
including those under the Notes. Credit ratings are subject to
revision, suspension or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating
organization in their sole discretion. However, because the return on
the Notes is dependent upon factors in addition to our ability to pay our
obligations under the Notes, an improvement in our credit ratings will not
necessarily increase the market value of the Notes and will not reduce market
risk and other investment risks related to the Notes. Credit ratings
do not address the price, if any, at which the Notes may be resold prior to
maturity (which may be substantially less than the issue price of the Notes) and
are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold the Notes. See “Risk Factors —
Market Price of the Notes Influenced by Many Unpredictable
Factors.”
Although
We Are a Bank, the Notes Are Not Bank Deposits and Are Not Insured or Guaranteed
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, The Deposit Insurance Fund or Any
Other Government Agency
The Notes are our
obligations but are not bank deposits. In the event of our insolvency
the Notes will rank equally with our other unsecured, unsubordinated obligations
and will not have the benefit of any insurance or guarantee of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, The Deposit Insurance Fund or any other
governmental agency.
Unless
Otherwise Specified in the Relevant Pricing Supplement, the Notes Will Not be
Listed on Any Securities Exchange; Secondary Trading May Be Limited
You should be
willing to hold your Notes until the maturity date. Unless otherwise specified
in the relevant Pricing Supplement, the Notes will not be listed on any
securities exchange; accordingly, there may be little or no secondary market for
the Notes and information regarding independent market pricing for the Notes may
be very limited or non-existent. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not
provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Notes easily. Our
affiliate has informed us that, upon completion of the offering, it intends to
purchase and sell the Notes from time to time in off-exchange transactions, but
it is not required to do so. If our affiliate does make such a market
in the Notes, it may stop doing so at any time. In addition, the total principal
amount of the Notes being offered by the relevant Pricing Supplement may not be
purchased by investors in the offering, and one or more of our affiliates may
agree to purchase a part of the unsold portion, which may constitute up to 15%
of the total aggregate principal amount of the Notes. Such affiliate
or affiliates intend to hold the Notes for investment purposes, which may affect
the supply of Notes available for secondary trading and therefore adversely
affect the price of the Notes in any secondary trading. If a
substantial portion of any Notes held by our affiliates were to be offered for
sale following this offering, the market price of such Notes could fall,
especially if secondary trading in such Notes is limited or
illiquid.
Market
Price of the Notes Are Influenced by Many Unpredictable Factors
The market price of
the Notes may move up and down between the date you purchase them and the
maturity date. Many economic and market factors will influence the
market price of the Notes. We expect that, generally, the level of the CPI on
any day will affect the market price of the Notes more than any other single
factor. However, you should not expect the market price of the Notes in the
secondary market to vary in proportion to changes in the level of the CPI. The
market price of the Notes will be affected by a number of other factors that may
either offset or magnify each other, including
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the expected
volatility in the CPI;
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interest and
yield rates in the market, and the volatility of those
rates;
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economic,
financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect consumer
prices generally;
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the time
remaining to the maturity of the
Notes;
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the
creditworthiness of the Bank, as issuer of the Notes, and Holding, as the
guarantor of the Bank’s obligations under the Notes. Any person
who purchases the Notes is relying upon the creditworthiness of the Bank
and Holding and has no rights against any other person. The
Notes constitute the general, unsecured and unsubordinated contractual
obligations of the Bank and
Holding.
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Factors that may
affect the CPI include:
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general
economic, financial, political or regulatory
conditions;
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fluctuations
in the prices of various consumer goods and energy resources;
and
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inflation and
expectations concerning inflation.
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These factors
interrelate in complex ways, and the effect of one factor on the market price of
your Notes may offset or enhance the effect of another factor. You
cannot predict the future performance of the CPI based on its historical
performance. The CPI may decrease such that you may receive a minimal or no
return on your investment.
Some or all of
these factors will influence the price that you will receive if you sell your
Notes prior to maturity in the secondary market, if any. If you sell
your Notes prior to maturity, the price at which you are able to sell your Notes
may be at a discount, which could be substantial, from the principal
amount. Thus, if you
sell your Note before maturity, you may not receive back your entire principal
amount.
The
Inclusion of Commissions and Cost of Hedging in the Issue Price Is Likely to
Adversely Affect Secondary Market Prices
Assuming no change
in market conditions or any other relevant factors, the price, if any, at which
the selling agents are willing to purchase Notes in secondary market
transactions will likely be lower than the issue price, since the issue price
included, and secondary market prices are likely to exclude, commissions paid
with respect to the Notes, as well as the profit component included in the cost
of hedging our obligations under the Notes. In addition, any such
prices may differ from values determined by pricing models used by the selling
agents, as a result of dealer discounts, mark-ups or other transaction
costs.
Hedging
and Trading Activities by Us or Our Affiliates Could Affect Market Prices of the
Notes; No Security Interest in Securities or Other Financial Instruments Held by
Us
We
and our affiliates may carry out hedging activities that minimize our risks
related to the Notes, including trading in instruments linked to the CPI. In
particular, on or prior to the date of the relevant Pricing
Supplement, we, through our affiliates, hedged our anticipated exposure in
connection with the Notes by taking positions in inflation-linked United States
treasury bonds and/or other instruments that we deemed appropriate in connection
with such hedging.
Through our
affiliates, we may modify our hedge position during the life of the Notes by
purchasing and selling inflation-linked United States treasury bonds or
positions in other securities or instruments that we may wish to use in
connection with such hedging. We cannot give any assurance that we have not or
will not affect such value as a result of our hedging or trading activities and
it is possible that we or one of more of our affiliates could receive
substantial returns from these hedging activities while the market price of the
Notes may decline.
The indenture
governing the Notes does not contain any restrictions on our ability or the
ability of any of our affiliates to sell, pledge or otherwise convey all or any
portion of the securities or other instruments acquired by us or our affiliates.
Neither we nor Holding nor any of our affiliates will pledge or otherwise hold
those securities or other instruments for the benefit of you. Consequently, in
the event of a bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation involving us or Holding, as
the case may be, any of those securities or instruments that we or Holding own
will be subject to the claims of our creditors or Holding’s creditors generally
and will not be available specifically for the benefit of the you.
Potential
Conflicts of Interest between Note Holders and the Calculation
Agent
Our affiliate,
RBSSI, will serve as the calculation agent. RBSSI will, among other
things, determine the interest rate and, if applicable, the CPI rate on each
interest determination date. RBSSI and other affiliates may carry out
hedging activities related to the Notes, including trading in instruments
related to the CPI. RBSSI and some of our other affiliates also trade those
instruments on a regular basis as part of their general broker-dealer
businesses. Any of these activities could influence RBSSI’s determinations as
calculation agent. RBSSI is an affiliate of The Royal Bank of Scotland
N.V.
Moreover, the issue
price of the Notes includes the agents’ commissions and certain costs of hedging
our obligations under the Notes. Our affiliates through which we
hedge our obligations under the Notes expect to make a profit. Since
hedging our obligations entails risk and may be influenced by market forces
beyond our affiliates’ control, such hedging may result in a profit that is more
or less than initially projected.
Holdings
of the Notes by Our Affiliates and Future Sales
Certain of our
affiliates may purchase for investment a portion of the Notes that has not been
purchased by investors in a particular offering of Notes, which initially they
intend to hold for investment purposes. As a result, upon completion of such an
offering, our affiliates may own up to 15% of the aggregate principal amount of
the Notes. Circumstances may occur in which our interests or those of
our affiliates could be in conflict with your interests. For example,
our affiliates may attempt to sell the Notes that they had been holding for
investment purposes at the same time that you attempt to sell your Notes, which
could depress the price, if any, at which you can sell your
Notes. Moreover, the liquidity of the market for the Notes, if any,
could be substantially reduced as a result of our affiliates holding the
Notes. See “— The Notes Will Not be Listed on any Securities
Exchange; Secondary Trading May Be Limited.” In addition, our
affiliates could have substantial influence over any matter subject to consent
of the security holders.
PUBLIC
INFORMATION REGARDING THE CPI
The CPI for
purposes of the Notes is the non-seasonally adjusted U.S. City Average All Items
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, reported monthly by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor (the “BLS”) and published on
Bloomberg CPURNSA or any successor source. The CPI for a particular
month is published during the following month. The CPI is a measure
of the average change in consumer prices over time for a fixed market basket of
goods and services, including food, clothing, shelter, fuels, transportation,
charges for doctors’ and dentists’ services and drugs. In calculating
the CPI, price changes for the various items are averaged together with weights
that represent their importance in the spending of urban households in the
United States. The contents of the market basket of goods and
services and the weights assigned to the various items are updated periodically
by the BLS to take into account changes in consumer expenditure
patterns. The CPI is expressed in relative terms in relation to a
time base reference period for which the level is set at 100.0. The
base reference period for these notes is the 1982-1984 average.
Disclaimer
by Us, Holding and the Calculation Agent
All information in this Product Supplement
relating to the CPI is derived from publicly available information released by
the BLS and other public sources. Neither we nor Holding nor the
Calculation Agent has independently verified any such
information. Neither we nor Holding nor the Calculation Agent shall
have any responsibility for any error or omissions in the calculation and
publication of the CPI by the BLS.
DESCRIPTION
OF NOTES
Capitalized terms
not defined herein have the meanings given to such terms in the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement. The term “Note” refers to each CPI Rate Note, which are
fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Holding.
Pricing
Date
|
As specified
in the relevant Pricing Supplement.
|
|
|
Issue
Price
|
Unless
otherwise specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement,
100%.
|
|
|
Maturity
Date
|
As specified
in the relevant Pricing Supplement, subject to postponement as described
below and as described under “Description of Notes — Fixed Rate Notes — If
a Payment Date Is not a Business Day” in the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement.
|
|
|
Specified
Currency
|
U.S.
Dollars
|
|
|
Denominations
|
Unless
otherwise specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, the Notes may be
purchased in minimum denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
thereof.
|
|
|
Form of
Notes
|
The Notes
will be represented by a single registered global security, deposited with
the Depository Trust Company.
|
|
|
Guarantee
|
The payment
obligations of The Royal Bank of Scotland N.V. under the Notes, when and
as they shall become due and payable, whether at maturity or upon
acceleration, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by ABN AMRO Holding
N.V.
|
|
|
Payment at
Maturity
|
For each
$1,000 principal amount Note, a cash payment equal to $1,000, plus accrued
and unpaid interest (if any).
|
|
|
Interest
|
Unless
otherwise specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, the Interest
accrued for each Interest Payment Period on the Notes will equal the
product of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, the Interest
Rate and the number of days in the Interest Payment Period (calculated on
the basis of a year of 360 days with twelve months of thirty days each)
divided by 360.
|
|
|
Interest
Rate
|
For each
Interest Payment Period, the relevant Pricing Supplement will specify
whether the Interest Rate is
(a) the CPI
Rate applicable to such Interest Payment Period plus an additional amount
of interest, referred to as the Spread;
(b) the CPI
Rate applicable to such Interest Payment Period multiplied by a number,
referred to as the Spread Multiplier; or
(c) a Fixed
Rate.
In no case will the Interest
Rate for the Notes for any Interest Payment Period be less than the
Minimum Interest Rate or, if applicable, greater than the Maximum Interest
Rate, regardless of changes in the CPI. The Minimum
Interest Rate will be at least 0.00%. The Interest Rate will be
linked to the CPI Rate for one or more Interest Payment
Periods.
|
|
|
CPI
Rate
|
The CPI Rate
for any Interest Payment Period will be calculated on the Interest
Determination Date for such Interest Payment Period, in accordance with
the following formula:
|
CPI
Rate =
|
CPIt –
CPIt-x
|
CPIt-x
|
|
where:
CPIt =
CPI for a calendar month prior to the calendar month of the applicable
Interest Reset Date, which we refer to as the reference month, as
specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement; and
CPIt-x =
CPI for a calendar month prior to the applicable reference month, as
specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement.
If by 3:00
p.m., New York City time, on any Interest Determination Date, the CPI is
not published on Bloomberg screen CPURNSA for any relevant month, but has
otherwise been reported by the BLS, then the Calculation Agent will
determine the CPI as reported by the BLS for such month using such other
source as on its face, after consultation with us, appears to accurately
set forth the CPI as reported by the BLS.
In
calculating CPIt and
CPIt-x,
the Calculation Agent will use the most recently available value of the
CPI determined as described above and in the relevant Pricing Supplement
on the applicable Interest Determination Date, even if such value has been
adjusted from a previously reported value for the relevant
month. However, if a value of CPIt or
CPIt-x
used by the Calculation Agent on any Interest Determination Date to
determine the Interest Rate on the Notes is subsequently revised by the
BLS, the Interest Rate determined on such Determination Date will not be
revised.
If the CPI is
rebased to a different year or period and the 1982-1984 CPI is no longer
used, the base reference period for the Notes will continue to be the
1982-1984 reference period as long as the 1982-1984 CPI continues to be
published.
|
|
|
CPI
|
Unless
otherwise specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, the CPI for
purposes of the Notes is the non-seasonally adjusted U.S. City Average All
Items Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers reported monthly by the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor and reported on
Bloomberg or any successor service.
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|
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Spread
|
If
applicable, as specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement for each
Interest Payment Period.
|
|
|
Spread
Multiplier
|
If
applicable, as specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement for each
Interest Payment Period.
|
|
|
Fixed
Rate
|
If
applicable, as specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement for each
Interest Payment Period.
|
|
|
Minimum
Interest Rate
|
As specified
in the relevant Pricing Supplement, but not less than
0.00%.
|
|
|
Maximum
Interest Rate
|
If
applicable, as specified in the relevant Pricing
Supplement.
|
|
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Interest
Payment Dates
|
As specified
in the relevant Pricing Supplement. No Interest Payment Date
will be more than twelve months after the immediately prior Interest
Payment Date or the issue date of the Notes, as
applicable.
|
|
|
Interest
Payment Periods
|
The period
beginning on and including the issue date of the Notes and ending on but
excluding the first Interest Payment Date, and each successive period
beginning on and including an Interest Payment Date and ending on but
excluding the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or as specified in
the relevant Pricing Supplement.
|
|
|
Interest
Reset Dates
|
Unless
otherwise specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, the first day of
each Interest Payment Period, commencing on the issue date of the Notes,
provided that if an Interest Reset Date is not a business day, it will be
postponed to the next succeeding business day.
|
|
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Interest
Determination Dates
|
Unless
otherwise specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, each Interest
Reset Date.
|
Trustee
|
Wilmington
Trust Company
|
|
|
Securities
Administrator
|
Citibank,
N.A.
|
|
|
Discontinuance
of the CPI; Alteration of Method of Calculation
|
If, while the
Notes are outstanding, the CPI is not published because it has been
discontinued or has been substantially altered, an applicable substitute
index will be chosen to replace the CPI for purposes of determining
interest on the Notes. The applicable index will be that chosen
by the Secretary of the Treasury for the Department of The Treasury’s
Inflation-Linked Treasuries as described at 62 Federal Register 846-874
(January 6, 1997) or, if no such securities are outstanding, the
substitute index will be determined by the Calculation Agent in good faith
and in accordance with general market practice at the
time.
|
|
|
Alternate
Calculation in case of an Event of Default
|
In case an
Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall have occurred and be
continuing, the amount declared due and payable for each Note upon any
acceleration of the Notes shall be determined by RBSSI, as Calculation
Agent, and shall be an amount in cash equal to $1,000 per $1,000 principal
amount Note plus any accrued and unpaid interest calculated as if the date
of acceleration were the Maturity Date. In such case, interest
will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of
days in such adjusted Interest Payment Period and will be based on the CPI
Rate on the Interest Determination Date immediately preceding such
adjusted Interest Payment Period, unless otherwise specified in the
relevant Pricing Supplement.
If the
maturity of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default as
described above, we shall, or shall cause the Calculation Agent to,
provide written notice to the Trustee at its New York office, and to the
Securities Administrator at its Delaware office, on which notice the
Trustee and the Securities Administrator may conclusively rely, and to DTC
of the aggregate cash amount due with respect to the Notes, if any, as
promptly as possible and in no event later than two business days after
the date of acceleration.
|
|
|
Calculation
Agent
|
RBSSI, which
is our affiliate. All determinations made by the Calculation
Agent will be at the sole discretion of the Calculation Agent and will, in
the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding
on you and on us.
|
|
|
Additional
Amounts
|
Subject to
certain exceptions and limitations described in “Description of Debt
Securities — Payment of Additional Amounts” in the accompanying
Prospectus, we will pay such additional amounts to holders of the Notes as
may be necessary in order that the net payment of any amount payable on
the Notes, after withholding for or on account of any present or future
tax, assessment or governmental charge imposed upon or as a result of such
payment by The Netherlands (or any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein) or the jurisdiction of residence or
incorporation of any successor corporation (other than the United States),
will not be less than the amount provided for in the Notes to be then due
and payable.
|
|
|
Book Entry
Note or Certificated Note
|
Book
Entry
|
USE
OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise
specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, the net proceeds we receive from
the sale of the Notes will be used for general corporate purposes and, in part,
by us or one or more of our affiliates in connection with hedging our
obligations under the Notes. The issue price of the Notes includes the selling
agents’ commissions (as shown on the cover page of the relevant Pricing
Supplement) paid with respect to the Notes and the cost of hedging our
obligations under the Notes. The cost of hedging includes the projected profit
that our affiliates expect to realize in consideration for assuming the risks
inherent in managing the hedging transactions. Since hedging our obligations
entails risk and may be influenced by market forces beyond our or our
affiliates’ control, such hedging may result in a profit that is more or less
than initially projected, or could result in a loss. See also “Risk Factors —
The Inclusion of Commissions and Cost of Hedging in the Issue Price is Likely to
Adversely Affect Secondary Market Prices” and “Potential Conflicts of Interest
between Note Holders and the Calculation Agent” and “Plan of Distribution
(Conflicts of Interest)” in this Product Supplement and “Use of Proceeds” in the
accompanying Prospectus.
U.S.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a
summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of ownership and
disposition of the Notes. It applies only to an investor who purchases Notes at
their original issuance for the issue price and holds those Notes as capital
assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended to the date hereof (the “Code”). This discussion is
based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and
currently effective and proposed Treasury regulations, changes to any of which
subsequent to the date of this Product Supplement may affect the tax
consequences described below, possibly with retroactive effect. It does not
address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to an
investor in light of the investor's particular circumstances or to certain types
of investors subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax
laws, such as certain former citizens or residents of the United States, certain
financial institutions, real estate investment trusts, regulated investment
companies, tax-exempt entities, dealers and certain traders in securities,
partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal
income tax purposes, persons who hold the Notes as a part of a hedging
transaction, straddle, conversion or integrated transaction, or U.S. holders (as
defined below) who have a “functional currency” other than the U.S.
dollar.
As the law
applicable to the U.S. federal income taxation of instruments such as the Notes
is technical and complex, the discussion below necessarily represents only a
general summary. Moreover, the effects of any applicable state, local or
non-U.S. tax laws are not discussed. You should consult your tax adviser
regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the
Notes, as well as any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state,
local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.
Tax
Consequences to U.S. Holders
You are a “U.S.
holder” if, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you are a beneficial owner of
a Note who is: (i) a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a
corporation created or organized under the laws of the United States or any
political subdivision thereof; or (iii) an estate or trust the income of which
is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its
source.
Notes comprising
each issuance under this Product Supplement will be treated either as
“contingent payment debt instruments” (“CPDI Notes” and each a “CPDI Note”) or as “variable
rate debt instruments” (“Variable Rate Notes” and each
a “Variable Rate Note”)
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each Pricing Supplement will
indicate the expected treatment of the Notes offered pursuant to that Pricing
Supplement.
Notes
Treated as Contingent Payment Debt Instruments
CPDI Notes will be
subject to the original issue discount (“OID”) provisions of the Code
and the Treasury regulations issued thereunder. You will be required
to accrue as interest income in each year the OID on the CPDI Notes, with
certain adjustments to reflect the difference, if any, between the actual and
projected amounts of the contingent payments on the CPDI Notes, as described
below. We are required to determine a “comparable yield” for each issuance of
CPDI Notes. The “comparable yield” generally is the yield at which, in similar
general market conditions, we could issue a fixed-rate debt instrument with
terms similar to those of the CPDI Notes, including the level of subordination,
term and timing of payments, but excluding any adjustments for the riskiness of
the contingencies or the liquidity of the CPDI Notes. Solely for purposes of
determining the amount of interest income that you will be required to accrue,
we are also required to construct a “projected payment schedule” representing a
series of projected interest payments the amount and timing of which would
produce a yield to maturity on the CPDI Notes equal to the comparable
yield.
We will provide the
comparable yield in the Pricing Supplement for the Notes. You may obtain the
projected payment schedule by submitting a written request to our
representative, whose name or title and address and/or telephone number we will
provide in the applicable Pricing Supplement. Neither the comparable yield nor the
projected payment schedule constitutes a representation by us regarding the
actual amount, if any, of CPI-linked interest payments on the CPDI
Notes.
For U.S. federal
income tax purposes, you are required to use the comparable yield and the
projected payment schedule determined by us to calculate your interest accruals
and any adjustments thereto in respect of the CPDI Notes, unless you timely
disclose and justify the use of other estimates to the Internal Revenue Service
(the “IRS”).
You will be
required for U.S. federal income tax purposes to accrue an amount of OID for
each accrual period prior to and including the maturity (or earlier sale,
exchange or retirement) of your CPDI Notes that equals the product of (i) the
adjusted issue price of the CPDI Notes (as defined below) as of the beginning of
the accrual period, (ii) the comparable yield of the CPDI Notes, adjusted for
the length of the accrual period, and (iii) the number of days during the
accrual period that you held the CPDI Notes divided by the number of days in the
accrual period.
For U.S. federal
income tax purposes, the “adjusted issue price” of a CPDI Note is its issue
price increased by any interest income previously accrued (without regard to any
positive or negative adjustments, as described below), and decreased by the
projected amounts of all prior scheduled payments with respect to the CPDI Note,
if any (without regard to the actual amounts paid). Regardless of your
accounting method, you will be required to accrue OID on the CPDI Notes as
interest income at the comparable yield, with adjustments described below to
reflect the difference, if any, between the actual and projected amounts of the
payments on the CPDI Notes.
You will be
required to recognize additional interest income equal to the amount of any net
positive adjustment, i.e., the excess of actual
CPI-linked interest payments over projected CPI-linked interest payments in
respect of a CPDI Note for a taxable year. A net negative adjustment, i.e., the excess of projected
CPI-linked interest payments over actual CPI-linked interest payments in respect
of the CPDI Note for a taxable year:
|
·
|
will first
reduce the amount of interest in respect of the CPDI Note that you would
otherwise be required to include in income in the taxable year;
and
|
|
·
|
to the extent
of any excess, will give rise to an ordinary loss equal to the excess
of:
|
|
o
|
the amount of
all previous interest inclusions under the CPDI Note
over
|
|
o
|
the total
amount of your net negative adjustments treated as ordinary loss on the
CPDI Note in prior taxable
years.
|
Any net negative
adjustment in excess of the amounts described above will be carried forward to
offset future interest income in respect of the CPDI Note or to reduce the
amount realized on a sale, exchange or retirement of the CPDI Note. A net
negative adjustment is not subject to the limitation imposed on miscellaneous
itemized deductions under Section 67 of the Code.
Upon a sale,
exchange or retirement of a CPDI Note prior to the scheduled maturity, you
generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between
the amount you receive and your basis in the CPDI Note. (At the scheduled
maturity, you will be treated as receiving the projected payment due, and any
difference between the amount received and the projected payment will be treated
as a positive or negative adjustment, as described above.) Your basis in a CPDI
Note will equal the cost thereof, increased by the amount of interest income
previously accrued by you in respect of the CPDI Note (without regard to any
positive or negative adjustments, as described above) and decreased by the
projected amounts of all prior scheduled payments with respect to the CPDI Note
(without regard to the actual amounts paid). Any gain will be treated as
interest income and any loss will be treated first as ordinary loss, to the
extent of previous interest inclusions less prior net negative adjustments that
you took into account as ordinary loss, and then as capital loss.
Losses on a sale or
exchange or at maturity are not subject to the limitation imposed on
miscellaneous itemized deductions under Section 67 of the Code. The
deductibility of capital losses, however, is subject to other limitations.
Additionally, if you recognize a loss above certain thresholds, you may be
required to file a disclosure statement with the IRS. You should consult your
tax adviser regarding these limitations and reporting obligations.
Notes
Treated as Variable Rate Debt Instruments
Interest paid on
Variable Rate Notes will be taxable to you as ordinary interest income at the
time it accrues or is received, in accordance with your method of accounting for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. Upon the sale, exchange or retirement of a
Variable Rate Note, you generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to
the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange or retirement
and your adjusted tax basis in the Variable Rate Note, which generally will
equal the amount you paid to acquire the Variable Rate Note.
Tax
Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders
You are a “non-U.S.
holder” if, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, you are a beneficial owner of
a Note who is: (i) a nonresident alien individual; (ii) a foreign corporation;
or (iii) a foreign estate or trust.
You are not a
“non-U.S. holder” for purposes of this discussion if you are an individual
present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of
disposition. In this case, you should consult your tax adviser
regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the sale or exchange of a
Note (including redemption at maturity).
Payments to you on
the Notes, and any gain realized on a sale or exchange of the Notes, will be
exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including withholding tax, provided
generally that (i) you have certified on IRS Form W-8BEN, under penalties of
perjury, that you are not a United States person and otherwise satisfy
applicable requirements; and (ii) such amounts are not effectively connected
with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States.
If you are engaged
in a trade or business in the United States, and if income or gain from the
Notes is effectively connected with your conduct of that trade or business, you
generally will be taxed in the same manner as a U.S. holder. In this case, you
will be required to provide a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI in order to
claim an exemption from withholding. If this paragraph applies to you, you
should consult your tax adviser with respect to other U.S. tax consequences of
the ownership and disposition of the Notes, including the possible imposition of
a 30% branch profits tax if you are a corporation.
Backup
Withholding and Information Reporting
Interest (including
OID) paid or accrued on the Notes prior to maturity, and the amount received
from a sale, exchange or retirement of the Notes generally will be subject to
information reporting unless you are an “exempt recipient” (such as a domestic
corporation) and may also be subject to backup withholding at the rate specified
in the Code if you fail to provide certain identifying information (such as an
accurate taxpayer identification number, if you are a U.S. holder) or meet
certain other conditions. If you are a non-U.S. holder and you provide a
properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8ECI, as applicable, you will generally
establish an exemption from backup withholding. Amounts withheld
under the backup withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded
or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the
required information is furnished to the IRS.
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
Unless otherwise
specified in the relevant Pricing Supplement, we have appointed RBS Securities
Inc. (“RBSSI”) as agent for any offering of the Notes. RBSSI has
agreed to use reasonable efforts to solicit offers to purchase the
Notes. We will pay RBSSI, in connection with sales of the Notes
resulting from a solicitation such agent made or an offer to purchase such agent
received, a commission in an amount as specified in the relevant Pricing
Supplement. RBSSI has informed us that, as part of its distribution of the
Notes, it intends to reoffer the Notes to other dealers who will sell the
Notes. Each such dealer engaged by RBSSI, or further engaged by a
dealer to whom RBSSI reoffers the Notes, will purchase the Notes at an agreed
discount to the initial offering price of the Notes. RBSSI has
informed us that such discounts may vary from dealer to dealer and that not all
dealers will purchase or repurchase the Notes at the same
discount. RBSSI has also informed us that it may pay any dealer
additional fees payable upon maturity of the Notes based on the performance of
the Notes sold and/or additional fees payable annually based on the amount of
Notes sold by such dealer in a particular calendar year; provided that the aggregate
amount of such discounts and additional fees paid to all dealers for an offering
shall not exceed the commission that RBSSI will receive from us. You
can find a general description of the commission rates payable to the agents
under “Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” in the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement.
RBSSI is an
affiliate of ours and Holding. RBSSI will conduct each offering of Notes in
compliance with the requirements of NASD Rule 2720 of the Financial Industry
Regulatory Authority, which is commonly referred to as FINRA, regarding a FINRA
member firm’s distribution of securities of an affiliate. Following the initial
distribution of any of these Notes, RBSSI may offer and sell those Notes in the
course of its business as broker-dealer. RBSSI may act as principal
or agent in these transactions and will make any sales at varying prices related
to prevailing market prices at the time of sale or otherwise. RBSSI may use this
Product Supplement, the relevant Pricing Supplement and the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus in connection with any of these
transactions. RBSSI is not obligated to make a market in any of these Notes and
may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without
notice.
RBSSI or an
affiliate of RBSSI may enter into one or more hedging transactions with us in
connection with this offering of Notes. See “Use of Proceeds”
above.
To
the extent the full aggregate principal amount of the Notes being offered by the
relevant Pricing Supplement is not purchased by investors in the offering, one
or more of our affiliates may agree to purchase a part of the unsold portion,
which may constitute up to 15% of the total aggregate principal amount of the
Notes, and to hold such Notes for investment purposes. See “Holding of the Notes
by our Affiliates and Future Sales” under the heading “Risk
Factors.”
You
should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference
in this Product Supplement, the relevant Pricing Supplement, the
Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus. We have not authorized anyone
else to provide you with different or additional information. We are
offering to sell these Notes and seeking offers to buy these Notes only in
jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. Neither the delivery
of this Product Supplement nor the relevant Pricing Supplement,
accompanying Prospectus Supplement or Prospectus, nor any sale made
hereunder and thereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any
implication that there has been no change in the affairs of The Royal Bank
of Scotland N.V. or ABN AMRO Holding N.V. since the date of the relevant
Pricing Supplement or that the information contained or incorporated by
reference in the accompanying Prospectus is correct as of any time
subsequent to the date of such information.
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THE
ROYAL BANK OF
SCOTLAND
N.V.
Senior
Floating Rate Notes |
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TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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fully
and unconditionally guaranteed by
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PRODUCT
SUPPLEMENT
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Page
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ABN
AMRO Holding N.V.
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Summary
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PS-2
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Risk
Factors
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PS-6
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Public
Information Regarding the CPI
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PS-10
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Description of Notes
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PS-11
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CPI
Rate Notes
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Use
of Proceeds
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PS-14
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U.S. Federal
Income Tax Consequences
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PS-15
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Plan
of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)
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PS-18
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PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT
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Page
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About This
Prospectus Supplement
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S-1
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Risk
Factors
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S-2
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Description
of Notes
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S-4
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Taxation in
the Netherlands
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S-24
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PRODUCT
SUPPLEMENT
(TO
PROSPECTUS DATED
FEBRUARY
8, 2010 AND
PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT
DATED
FEBRUARY 8, 2010) |
United States
Federal Income Taxation
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S-27
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Plan of
Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)
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S-34
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Legal
Matters
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S-36
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PROSPECTUS
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Page
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About This
Prospectus
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1
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Where You Can
Find Additional Information
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1
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Cautionary
Statement on Forward-Looking Statements
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3
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Consolidated
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
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4
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RBS
Securities Inc.
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The Royal
Bank of Scotland N.V. and ABN AMRO Holding
N.V.
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5
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Use of
Proceeds
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5
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Description
of Debt Securities
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6
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Forms of
Securities
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16
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The
Depositary
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17
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Plan of
Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)
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19
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Legal
Matters
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22
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Experts
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23
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Benefit Plan
Investor Considerations
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24
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Enforcement
of Civil Liabilities
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25
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