ASB unveils $400m capital raising plan

ASB chief executive Barbara Chapman at the new ASB headquarters at Wynyard Quarter. Photo / Richard Robinson

ASB Bank wants to raise up to $400 million in a fixed interest offer that it intends to list on the New Zealand share market.

The bank this morning announced details of the subordinated notes which have a 10 year maturity and are subordinated and unsecured.

The company said it would raise up to $300 million with the ability to accept oversubscriptions of up to $100 million.

The notes are not guaranteed by its parent company Commonwealth Bank of Australia and may be repaid sooner than the 10 year timeframe.

ASB said the notes would be treated as Tier 2 Capital for the bank and in certain circumstances would be exchanged for shares in CBA, which is listed on the ASX.

The interest rate will be set after a book build process held before March 25 and will be based on a margin over the five year swap rate.

The notes have a BBB+ credit rating from Standard and Poor's.

The joint lead managers on the offer include ASB Securities, Macquarie Capital, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Craigs and Forsyth Barr.