Noor Bank sukuk oversubscribed

$500m issuance favoured by strong demand from global investors

Noor Bank said its $500 million (Dh1.8 billion) sukuk issuance with a five-year tenor was over-subscribed 2.1 times on the back of a strong demand from global investors for the bank’s credit.

The benchmark-sized, senior unsubordinated sukuk with a wakala structure was priced with a profit rate of 4.471 per cent, equivalent to five-year mid-swaps plus 165 bps, the bank said in an emailed statement. Initial pricing guidance Nasdaq Dubai said it listed sukuks of Sharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) worth $500 million (Dh1.8 billion), and Damac Properties’ $400 million instrument.

Two other sukuk issued by SIB are currently admitted to trading on Nasdaq Dubai, the bourse said in a statement. These are both $500 million issuances that listed in 2015 and 2016. Damac Properties’ other sukuk listed on Nasdaq Dubai comprise issuances of $650 million and $500 million in 2014 and 2017 respectively. of 175 bps area over mid-swaps was given earlier on Tuesday with the strong order book enabling final pricing to tighten.

The issuance received orders of $1.07 billion from 50 bids across a diverse group of investors that included one third from outside the Middle East.

“The order book and pricing of our latest transaction demonstrates the confidence that the wide array of global investors has placed in our future growth strategy and the management who would implement that strategy. That Noor Bank was able to achieve this ... is testament to the recognition and strength of our brand,” John Iossifidis, Chief Executive of Noor Bank, said in a statement.