Standard Bank has raised R3-billion through a debut securitisation transaction aimed at reducing the bank’s funding requirements and enhancing capital management.
In terms of this transaction, a special-purpose company Accelerator Fund 1 has issued asset-backed notes to fund an acquisition of motor-vehicle loans from Standard Bank.
Standard Bank will continue to administer the loans in the securitisation portfolio as agent for Accelerator Fund 1 and the transaction will not directly affect its clients.
The Class A1, A2 and A3 bonds, which are due to be repaid by January 19 2012, will be assigned AAA(zaf) and Aaa.za ratings respectively by Fitch and Moody’s. The weighted average margin on the Class A1, A2 and A3 bonds is 0,24% above three-month JIBAR. The bonds will be listed on the Bond Exchange of South Africa. The transaction was arranged by Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking division.
“Given our continued strong growth in term assets, this method of balance-sheet management effectively diversifies our sources of funding and enhances capital efficiency. We were particularly happy with the interest in the issue from investors,” says Simon Ridley, Standard Bank group CFO.
Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Bank director for securitisation AJ Rothman indicated that: “We are excited to be implementing the inaugural securitisation for Standard Bank.
“To date, securitisations have been dominated by non-bank originators, but given the strong asset growth experienced by South Africa’s large banks, we expect increasing activity in this area.”
The bonds were issued by way of auction to institutional investors on September 9, with final settlement of the bonds scheduled for September 15. — I-Net Bridge