OREANDA-NEWS. Upon its annual rigorous selection of the best transactions in the international capital markets – “EMEA Finance Achievement Awards 2014” – EMEA Finance, a renowned international magazine, has distinguished 3 deals arranged by Halyk Finance in 3 different categories, and has separately distinguished Halyk Finance’s CEO, Mr. Arnat Abzhanov, by naming him “Dealmaker of the Year” in the entire EMEA region.

Among the best equity transactions, JSC KEGOC’s KZT 13.1 bn IPO of its ordinary shares on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange in December 2014 – where Halyk Finance has acted as the Sole Coordinator and Bookrunner – has been named the “Best Privatization IPO.”

In addition, 2 Halyk Finance’s transactions have been awarded as best deals in debt capital markets. First, JSC National Company Kazakhstan Temir Zholy’s (“KTZ”) CHF 285 MM 5-year and 8-year dual-tranche Eurobond – in which Halyk Finance has acted as the Joint Lead Manager and Bookrunner in June 2014 – has been named the “Best Swiss Franc Bond.” This transaction marks the 1st-ever public CHF issue out of Kazakhstan with KTZ becoming the 1st Kazakhstan issuer to tap the Swiss securities market. The coupon of just 2.59% for KTZ’s 5-year tranche has become the lowest coupon in history ever among all Kazakhstan issuers.

Moreover, European Development Bank’s (“EDB”) KZT 20 bn 5-year bond – where Halyk Finance was the Sole Financial Advisor and Bookrunner in August 2014 – has been named the “Best Supranational Bond” by EMEA Finance.

Finally, upon a very rigorous selection of many strong candidates, Mr. Arnat Abzhanov, Halyk Finance’s CEO, has won one of the most prestigious investment banking awards globally – “Dealmaker of the Year.”

“Last year saw a variety of high-profile deals take place in Kazakhstan across the debt and equity markets and beyond. The role of Halyk Finance in driving many of the key transactions is testament to the skill of the bank's teams in structuring large-scale and ambitious deals. Furthermore, we're proud to highlight the personal contributions of Arnat Abzhanov to deal execution and to the bank's successes in 2014 and to name him our Dealmaker of the year for the EMEA region.” – comments Tim Burke, EMEA Finance’s Editor.

“In 2014, we did a tremendous job successfully executing a number of very important benchmark projects for our clients – including KTZ’s debut CHF-denominated Eurobond, as well as EDB’s KZT bond placements – all despite significant market volatility. These deals have truly become breakthrough transactions. We are also proud that our achievements have been recognized by such respected unbiased international jury not only in the debt market, but in the equity market as well. This is evidenced by the prestigious award received for KEGOC’s equity offering successfully placed under the national “People’s IPO” Program. In addition to attesting to our team’s relentless focus and firm commitment to constantly provide top notch services, these awards also pay tribute to our clients’ very high professionalism.” – states Mr. Arnat Abzhanov, Halyk Finance’s CEO.

 Halyk Finance wins prestigious “EMEA Finance Achievement Awards” for the 5th consecutive year – during 2011-2014, the company received 7 awards in the following categories: “Best Corporate Bond in EMEA” (JSC National Company “KazMunayGas”), “Best IPO in CEE” (JSC Kcell), “Best Depositary Receipt Programme” (JSC Kcell), “Most Innovative Bond” (JSC Development Bank of Kazakhstan), “Best MYR Sukuk” (JSC Development Bank of Kazakhstan) è 2 “Best Sovereign Wealth Fund Bond Deal” (JSC Sovereign Wealth Fund “Samruk-Kazyna”).

JSC Halyk Finance – the leading investment bank in Kazakhstan rendering a full range of investment banking services including consulting and underwriting, corporate finance (M&A advisory and corporate debt restructurings), sales and trading with market making on the KASE, investment portfolio management and research.

 JSC Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan – one of Kazakhstan's leading financial services groups and a leading retail bank with the largest customer base and distribution network among banks in Kazakhstan. The Bank is developing as a universal financial group offering a broad range of services (banking, insurance, leasing, brokerage and asset management) to its retail, small and medium enterprises and corporate customers. Halyk Bank also operates in Russia, Georgia and Kyrgyzstan.

EMEA Finance – an international financial magazine covering important events and news in corporate finance in Europe, Middle East and Africa.