OREANDA-NEWS. November 22, 2007. Ukio bankas is pleased to announce that it has signed a EUR 48 million (almost LTL 166 million) syndicated term loan facility in Kaunas today.

The syndicated loan which has been arranged by Bayerische Landesbank and HSH Nordbank AG was initially launched at EUR 25 million but due to strong market demand from the international loan market was eventually increased to EUR 48 million. The Mandated Lead Arrangers were joined by 19 international banks from 10 different countries.

This is the third syndicated loan for Ukio bankas over the past two years. In November 2006 nineteen banks from different countries provided Ukio bankas with a syndicated EUR 38.5 million (LTL 133 million) loan and in 2005 a syndicated EUR 12 million (LTL 41.4 million) loan was extended by eight European banks.

“The third syndicated loan will provide additional financing to enable the further growth and development of Ukio bankas. The success of this syndicated loan, especially given the current market environment, shows that there is a high level of confidence from financial institutions in Ukio bankas. The substantial oversubscription raised, further demonstrates the international banking markets support for Ukio bankas which is further enhanced by the bank’s improving financial performance” – says Edita Karpaviиienл, Chairperson of the Board of Ыkio bankas.

The Head of Financial Institutions Origination Nordic Area of HSH Nordbank AG, Copenhagen Branch, Mr. Bo Kolbe Nielsen Madsen stated that the Mandated Lead Arrangers are very satisfied with the successful conclusion of this transaction in a currently rather difficult capital market. Mr. Nielsen also noted that HSH Nordbank AG is planning to continue their cooperation with Ukio bankas into the future as they regard Ukio Bankas as an important and reliable partner in Lithuania. The syndicated loan to Ukio bankas is extended by 21 banks: Bayerische Landesbank, HSH Nordbank AG, Copenhagen Branch, Commerzbank AG, Landesbank Baden-Wьrttemberg, London Branch, Raiffeisen Zentralbank Цsterreich AG, State Bank of India, Frankfurt, Dresdner Bank AG, Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, London Branch, Israel Discount Bank of New York, Landesbank Berlin AG, National Bank of Egypt (UK) Limited, The Shanghai Commercial and Savings Bank Ltd, Banque BIA, BPN – Banco Portugues de Negуcios, S.A., BRE Bank SA, Landesbank Saar, Oberbank AG, Raiffeisenlandesbank Kдrnten, JSC "Trasta Komercbanka", UBI Banca International S.A., UniCredito Italiano S.p.A., Hong Kong Branch.

During the first nine months of 2007, Ukio bankas earned LTL 68.3 million of non-audited net profit, which shows a 2.3 time increase compared to the same period of 2006 (LTL 29.2 million). During the first nine months of 2007, Ukio bankas assets grew by LTL 939 million or 31 percent and totalled LTL 3.96 billion on 30 September 2007. During three quarters of 2007, the Bank’s deposit and LC portfolio rose by 25 percent, from LTL 2.11 billion to 2.64 billion, and the Bank’s loan portfolio in the net value jumped by 64 percent, from LTL 1.32 billion to 2.16 billion, during the same period.

The rapidly growing Ukio bankas offers a wide range of services to both private and business clients. During the 3rd quarter Ukio bankas expanded its client service network up to 51 outlets and presently holds 12 branches and 39 client service units in Lithuania.