Icelandic state-owned bank Íslandsbanki launched its share offering at 9.00am this morning. The bank will sell up to 35% of its share capital in the initiative, which stands until June 15, following which all its shares will be listed on Nasdaq Iceland (the Icelandic stock exchange). Two foreign investment companies and two local pension funds are said to be the cornerstone investors in the initiative. RÚV reported first.
Government Moves to Reduce State Ownership
Of Iceland’s three largest banks, just one (Arion Bank) is privately owned. The other two are in state ownership (Íslandsbanki, currently at 100% and Landsbankinn at 98.2% state ownership). Iceland’s current governing coalition prioritised reducing state ownership of financial institutions in the government agreement made at the beginning of its term. A sale of part of Íslandsbanki was discussed earlier in the term but side-lined during the pandemic as conditions for the sale were not considered favourable. Government officials have argued that the sale could free up funds for investment in essential infrastructure.
Read More: Sale of State-Owned Banks
A notice on Íslandsbanki’s website states that the bank’s estimated market value following the offering is ISK 150 billion ($1.24 billion/€1 billion). The aim is to sell over 636 million shares, the suggested retail price of which is between ISK 71 and 79 per share. The offering will take place both through a public offering of shares to institutional investors and retail investors in Iceland and through a private placement to specific institutional investors in various other jurisdictions.
Four Key Investors
Foreign investment funds have already committed to buying in the bank, according to Íslandsbanki. Funds managed by Capital World Investors have committed to purchasing nearly 77 million shares while RWC Asset Management LLP has committed to purchasing nearly 31 million shares. Icelandic pension funds Gildi-lífeyrissjóður and Lífeyrissjóður verzlunarmanna have also committed to buying more than 46 million shares each. These four parties are said to be the cornerstone investors in the offering.
