HDFC Bank raises $ 1 billion through AT1 bonds

The bank was able to successfully price its US $ 1 billion issuance of Additional Tier 1 (AT1) notes in the overseas markets on August 18, 2021, the private sector lender said in a release.

The dollar denominated, Basel III compliant AT1 notes were finally priced at 3.70 per cent, 42.5 bps lower than the initial price guidance.

The bank said issuance has been given a provisional rating of Ba3 by Moody’s Rating Services and is one of the tightest pricing achieved by any bank from Asia with Ba3 rating.

This is the largest US$ AT1 offering by any bank from India.

This will shore up HDFC Bank’s already strong Tier I capital base, the bank said, adding that the offering was well received by global investors and was oversubscribed by over 3 times after the final price guidance was released. 

Ashish Parthasarthy, Treasure at HDFC Bank said, “We believe that this successful issuance will set the road for other Indian players looking to raise AT1 bonds in the overseas markets. We are confident that the recovery in the Indian economy will pick up pace, with falling caseloads and increased vaccination coverage.”

The said AT1 notes will be listed on The India International Exchange (IFSC) Limited.

"The bonds were sold to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A and outside the United States in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S," the bank said.

"The bonds have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The closing of the bonds is subject to customary closing conditions," it added.