Greece

The yields on bank bonds have reached their lowest ever levels in recent weeks, thanks to meagre issuance and accommodative central bank policy. These conditions mean investors can see the silver linings, but not the clouds — and there are plenty — behind them.

Piraeus Bank has mandated lead managers for the sale of a new tier two, as it looks to follow the success of its compatriot Alpha Bank. Greek banks have emerged as big winners in the secondary market recently, with investors shrugging off risks and focusing on ‘only the positives’.

Greek banks looking to bring new bonds will do well to follow Alpha Bank’s example, when on Thursday it sold its inaugural tier two bond. Backed by thorough investor work and supportive market conditions, the Greek lender’s new bond exceeded yield and demand expectations.

Alpha Bank was more than 10 times subscribed on its debut in the tier two market on Thursday, allowing the speculative grade Greek lender to tighten its pricing by up to 100bp and land at an impressive coupon level of 4.25%.

Alpha Bank announced plans for a new issue of tier two capital on Monday, as the bank looks make use of a favourable backdrop in the bond market and renewed investor interest in Greek assets.

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Greece is hoping to become a frequent presence in the capital markets with a syndicated bond issuance every three months, according to the head of the sovereign's Public Debt Management Agency.

The scale of change in financial markets over the past decade has been crazy. At the beginning of 2010, the eurozone sovereign debt crisis was a gathering storm, with Greece about to become its first and biggest casualty. A decade on, some now consider the Hellenic Republic a safe haven investment as investors try to protect their money from the repercussions of the coronavirus outbreak.

Greece hit the market with its longest bond since the sovereign debt crisis on Tuesday. Its boldness was rewarded by its strongest order book since it returned to capital markets.

Czech lottery firm Sazka ventured into the euro high yield market again this week, issuing €300m of seven-year senior unsecured notes. The deal comes after Sazka made a successful debut in mid-November.

Greece and France mandated banks on Monday for new benchmark offerings at the long end of the curve, the former bringing its longest bond since the eurozone debt crisis. The sovereigns are taking advantage of a sharp rally in core and peripheral eurozone sovereign yields, partially engendered by a flight to quality over the coronavirus scare.

Ellaktor is looking to tempt international investors with a carefully designed green bond that excludes a shaky construction business. The Greek company is looking to replace most of its long-term capital structure, currently heavy on local bank loans.