Last checked at 25 Jun 2014 07:18
The Commercial Bank of Qatar (Q.S.C.)
Successful issuance of USD 750 million Notes
Issue four times oversubscribed
Wednesday, 25 June 2014, Doha, Qatar: The Commercial Bank of Qatar (Q.S.C.) (Commercial Bank or the Bank) announces the successful pricing and closing of an issuance of USD 750 million five-year senior unsecured notes under it and its subsidiary, CBQ Finance Limited's USD 5 billion Euro Medium Term Note Programme (the EMTN Programme) .
The issue was arranged and offered through a syndicate of Joint Lead Managers comprising BofA Merrill Lynch, HSBC and Morgan Stanley and attracted substantial global interest with orders in excess of USD 3.2 billion.
The Notes were issued at a spread of 117 basis points over mid-swaps and will carry a coupon of 2.875% per annum. The net proceeds of the issue will be used for general funding purposes to support the Bank's growth plans.
Commenting on the announcement, Commercial Bank's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Abdulla Saleh Al Raisi, said, "We are delighted by the overwhelming response our issuance under the EMTN Programme received from global fixed income investors; the offer was considerably oversubscribed with over USD 3.2 billion placed in orders. The combination of strong market demand and attractive pricing levels are a clear indication of the continuing confidence of the fixed income community in the strength and economic stability of Qatar, and is testament to Commercial Bank's strategy, financial strength and prudent management."
The Notes are listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and are rated A1 from Moody's and A- from Standard and Poor's. Further information about the issuance will be announced in due course.
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For more information please contact:
Mona Abdallah Jon Earl
Head of Corporate Communications Managing Director
Commercial Bank F T I Consulting
Tel: +974 4449 0169 Tel: +971 4 437 2104
Email: m.abdallah@cbq.qa Email: jon.earl@fticonsulting.com
Notes to Editors
About Commercial Bank
Commercial Bank has total assets of QAR 114 billion as at 31 March 2014. As a full service commercial bank, the Bank offers a full range of corporate, retail and investment banking services as well as owning and operating exclusive Diners Club franchises in Qatar and Oman. The Bank's countrywide network includes 34 full service branches and 154 ATMs.
Profitable every year since incorporation in 1974, continual investment in technology and human capital, together with a strong capital base, provides a solid foundation for continued growth. A successful diversification strategy has expanded Commercial Bank's GCC footprint through strategic partnerships with associated banks, the National Bank of Oman (NBO) in Oman and United Arab Bank (UAB) in the UAE. NBO, the second largest bank in Oman with total assets of OMR 3.5 billion as at 31 March 2014, has 62 branches in Oman and 1 branch each in Egypt, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. UAB is headquartered in Sharjah, with total assets of AED 23.6 billion as at 31 March 2014, and operates 26 branches across the emirates in the UAE. Building on the successful execution of the Bank's expansion strategy to date, Commercial Bank completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Alternatifbank in Turkey in July 2013.
Commercial Bank enjoys strong credit ratings of (A) from Fitch, (A1) from Moody's and (A-) from Standard & Poor's. The Bank is listed on the Qatar Exchange and was the first Qatari bank to list its Global Depository Receipts (GDRs) as well as bonds on the London Stock Exchange. Additionally, Commercial Bank's Swiss Franc bond issuance in December 2010, listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, was the first public bond issuance by a Qatari bank in Switzerland.
The Bank is dedicated to supporting Qatar's community and social infrastructure through Corporate Social Responsibility programmes and sponsorship of various events. Title sponsorship of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and the Grand Prix of Qatar Moto GP reflects the Bank's promotion of excellence in sports and its keen interest in enhancing Qatar's international sporting reputation. To reinforce Qatar's flourishing cultural environment, Commercial Bank is the strategic partner of the Katara Cultural Village. This collaboration symbolises the Bank's commitment to supporting cultural activities in Qatar and making the country a regional arts and cultural hub.
www.cbq.qa
About Alternatifbank (ABank)
ABank was established in 1991 and has been listed on the Istanbul Stock Exchange since 1995. Commercial Bank became the majority shareholder in ABank in 2013 holding a 74.24% stake, following the acquisition of ABank shares of 70.84% from the Anadolu Group and 3.40% through a public tender offer. Anadolu Group remains a significant shareholder retaining 25% of shares in ABank.
ABank is a mid-size Turkish bank that predominately serves medium-sized companies through a country-wide network of 73 branches in 27 cities (as of 31 March 2014). ABank provides commercial/corporate banking services and products, with a special focus on the growing segment of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. ABank's main product ranges cover trade finance instruments, working capital finance, cash management, and portfolio management. ABank has also recently made a strategic decision to re-enter Retail Banking, targeting the "mass affluent segment" in terms of customer profile with tailor made products.
At 31 March 2014, ABank had total assets of TL 10.9 billion, total loans stood at TL 7.1 billion, customer deposits of TL 5.1 billion and shareholders' equity of TL 810 million.
http://wwweng.abank.com.tr