India’s AU Small Finance Bank (AUBANK) plans to issue 8 billion rupees ($93.34 million) in bonds, with an option to raise an additional 4 billion rupees, through the sale of 10-year Tier II bonds. The bonds will have a coupon rate of 9.20% per annum and a call option at the end of 5 years. The bank is inviting commitment bids from bankers and investors on Thursday.
AUBANK is not the only issuer in the market today, as multiple deals have been reported, including issues by Axis Finance, IIFCL, IRFC, HDB Financial, and NaBFID, among others. The deals vary in tenure, coupon rates, and issue sizes, with some having a greenshoe option. For instance, IRFC is issuing 30 billion rupees in bonds with a 7.17% coupon rate, while Axis Finance is issuing 5.35 billion rupees with a 7.97% coupon rate.
The Indian credit rating agencies, such as Icra, Care, and India Ratings, have assigned high ratings to many of these deals, indicating a high level of creditworthiness. For example, AUBANK’s 10-year bonds have been rated AA by Icra and Care, while IRFC’s 10-year bonds have been rated AA by Crisil, Icra, and Care. HDB Financial’s 2-year bonds have been rated AAA by Crisil and Care, among others.
It’s worth noting that the interest rates on these bonds are significantly higher than those available on traditional fixed deposits in India, making them an attractive option for investors looking for a relatively safe and lucrative investment opportunity. Overall, the Indian bond market is expected to remain active in the coming days, with various issuers seeking to raise capital through debt placement.