NSB launches International Bond Issue

September, 2, 2014

The National Savings Bank (NSB) launched a five year International Bond Issue today (02 September) to raise USD 250 million. Acording to Bloomberg News Service its Initial Guidance is 5.5 percent.

The sales managers to this Issue are Barclays, Citigroup and HSBC banks.

The global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has issued a BB-(EXP) to this bond issue.

Below is the evaluation report of Fitch Ratings:

Fitch Rates National Savings Bank’s Senior Notes ‘BB-(EXP)’

Fitch Ratings has assigned Sri Lanka-based National Savings Bank’s (NSB; BB-/Stable) proposed issue of US dollar-denominated notes an expected rating of ‘BB-(EXP)’.

The final rating is contingent upon receipt of final documents conforming to information already received.

The proceeds are to be used for general corporate purposes.

KEY RATING DRIVERS

The notes are rated at the same level as NSB’s Long-Term Foreign Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘BB-’ as they rank equally with the bank’s other senior unsecured obligations.

NSB’s IDRs are based on the government of Sri Lanka’s (BB-/Stable) high propensity but moderate ability to provide extraordinary support to the bank, if needed. The state’s moderate ability to provide support is reflected in the sovereign rating. The bank’s Outlook reflects the Stable Outlook on Sri Lanka’s sovereign rating.

Fitch believes that state support for NSB stems from its policy mandate of mobilising retail savings and investing them in government securities. Its ratings also reflect preferential state support to the bank in the form of the explicit guarantee for its deposits contained in the NSB Act. Fitch is of the view that the authorities would support depositors and senior unsecured creditors of NSB to maintain confidence and systemic stability in case of need, even though the NSB Act only contains an explicit deposit guarantee.

RATING SENSITIVITIES

Any change in Sri Lanka’s rating or to the perception of state support to NSB could result in a change in NSB’s IDRs and hence the rating of the notes.

NSB’s ratings are:

Long-Term Foreign Currency IDR: ‘BB-’; Outlook Stable

Long-Term Local Currency IDR: ‘BB-’; Outlook Stable

Short-Term Foreign Currency IDR: ‘B’

Support Rating: ’3′

Support Rating Floor: ‘BB-’

US dollar senior unsecured notes: ‘BB-’

National Long-Term Rating: ‘AAA(lka)’; Outlook Stable

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