OREANDA-NEWS. TMK, one of the world’s leading steel pipe producers, has successfully closed a USD 155 million syndicated structured facility.

According to the press service of TMK, Bank Natexis (ZAO), Moscow, the Russian banking subsidiary of Natexis Banques Populaires, acted as the sole Mandated Lead Arranger, Facility Agent and Bookrunner.

The syndication has been very successful: the loan has been 47% oversubscribed from the USD 105 million originally sought allowing for an increase of the loan up to USD 155 million. The pool of banks includes Russian banks and international banks through their local subsidiaries:

Mandated Lead Arranger:
• Bank Natexis ZAO
Senior Lead Arrangers:
• Commerzbank (Eurasia), Moscow
• Gazprombank, Moscow
• ING Bank “Eurasia” ZAO, Moscow
• International Moscow Bank
• Sociйtй Gйnйrale SA, Paris and Banque Sociйtй Gйnйrale Vostok, Moscow

The facility has been signed and drawn at the end of September 2006.

The transaction has a margin of 2.20% p.a. and is a 30-month multi-currency amortizing structured facility with an option for tenor extension up to 42 months. The facility is secured at all times by an assignment and pledge of commercial contracts for the delivery of tubular products by TH TMK to prime Russian oil companies and by a pledge of goods in circulation.

The transaction is very innovative as it is the first loan for a Russian borrower backed with a security package registered purely under Russian law syndicated among international and Russian banks.