PNB Housing Finance plans to raise $400 million via masala bonds
PNB Housing Finance Ltd, a subsidiary of Rs 11,400 crore scam-hit Punjab National Bank, plans to raise $400 million (about Rs. 2,560 crore) through masala bonds to fund affordable housing plans. Of this $400 million, World Bank’s private investment arm International Finance Corp. (IFC) has agreed to underwrite $150 million from its own funds while the balance would be raised through other investors, said people aware of the matter. The money will be raised via PNB Housing’s masala bonds which are rupee-denominated bonds issued in overseas capital markets, the people added. Masala bonds are instruments through which Indian entities can raise funds by accessing overseas capital markets, while the bond investors hold the currency risk. Although PNB has sizeable stake in PNB Housing, both operate as separate entities. PNB Housing Finance is a subsidiary of PNB, whose stake holding in the company is 32.96%, of which 20% is locked up till 7 November 2019 as per the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements of Sebi, PNB Housing said in a statement filed with stock exchanges. With regard to asset quality, PNB Housing’s gross NPAs were 0.42%, whereas net NPAs were 0.33% of loan assets as on 31 December.
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