Verdant Capital completes debt financing of approx. ZAR 450 million for Trustco
Verdant Capital has completed for Namibian financial services and property group, Trustco, a debt financing of approx. ZAR 450 million. Trustco is listed on the JSE and the Namibian Stock Exchange with a market capitalization of ZAR 2.9 billion (approx. USD 215 million).
The financing represents the second largest equity or debt financing by a Namibian-owned private sector company. The funds raised will be deployed principally in Trustco’s banking and finance segment, through Trustco Bank and Trustco Finance, the Company’s principal lending arms. The funds will be mainly used for home loans, small enterprise and individual business loans, as well as microfinance loans for tertiary education.
The debt financing includes USD 10 million raised at the group level (structural subordinated), much of which will be contributed to Trustco Bank as a capital qualifying instrument. The balance of the financing is denominated in South African Rand, to which the Namibian Dollar is pegged. All of the funding was raised from leading international institutions, including Norsad Finance and the European Investment Bank.
“The Trustco Group remains committed to a vision of creating wealth for our shareholders, customers and employees while impacting positively on society and our planet. This facility will enable Trustco to contribute meaningfully to the aspiring citizens of Namibia, for whom I hold a great affinity to. By providing much needed loans that traditionally have been difficult to obtain, the Group will fully demonstrate its commitment to business and entrepreneurs.” said Dr. Quinton van Rooyen, Group Managing Director of Trustco.
Verdant Capital acted as sole financial advisor and sole arranger to Trustco with respect to the debt private placement. The transaction further illustrates the depth and breadth of financing available to African financial institutions in the private placement market.