Turkiye Halk Bankasi : Jul 17, 2016- Halkbank to create a new $1.2 billion fund for Turkey

Halkbank continues to enter into new collaborations, drawing strength from its financial stability and internationally trusted brand image. The bank announced it has obtained financing worth $500 million through bills issued in international markets. It has also signed syndication agreements worth $175 million and €477 million. "We are delighted to have created significant funding to the value of $1.2 billion for our country, achieving this through both Eurobonds and syndication," said Halkbank General Manager Ali Fuat Taşkesenlioğlu.

Halkbank secured $500 million worth of financing through the issuance of bonds in international markets. This stands out as the first Eurobond issuance by an emerging market financial institution in Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA) since Brexit. It has been announced that the acquired funds would be used to finance large domestic projects.

Halkbank General Manager Ali Fuat Taşkesenlioğlu expressed the continued confidence placed in trusted brands by markets struggling to find direction in the aftermath of Brexit. He added, "The strong position both Halkbank and Turkey enjoy in international markets was proved by the more than four-fold demand shown for the issuance by 255 financial institutions across the USA, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. These highly successful proceedings have demonstrated that efforts to mar the perceptions of our country will fail."

Underlining the syndicated loans worth $175 million and €477 million from international markets, Taşkesenlioğlu stated that "We are happy to provide the real sector the financing support it needs through our long-term and low-cost funds. We have acquired them with the participation of 33 banks, a demonstration of the confidence placed in us, and we will use them to support our country's foreign trade. "Halkbank is very pleased to have created funds worth $1.2 billion for our nation through both Eurobond and syndication in this period.".

Halkbank also took a sound step for US dollar bond issuance abroad. The Bank announced its authorization of Goldman Sachs, UniCredit Bank, HSBC, Citigroup, Bank ABC and Emirates NBD Capital regarding the matter, and said the decision would encompass the $2.5 billion or

equivalent in Turkish lira planned to be issued abroad, and foreign currency debt instruments. Bond issuance will be done in US dollar at the outset in accordance with the issuance document approved by the Capital Markets Board (CMB) on May 2.