Deutsche Bank has arranged the securitization of a leasing portfolio for the first time in South-Еast Europe. The structured finance will amount up to EUR 200 million and will be utilized within 24 months, involving the securitization of car leasing receivables. EuroLease Auto is part of Eurohold Bulgaria and is the most dynamically growing leasing company on the Bulgarian market. Lead-manager of the transaction is Deutsche Bank AG, London, and co-manager is EuroFinance, a member of the Eurohold Bulgaria group.

“The securitization of receivables linked to specific assets, such as automobiles, has been executed for the first time in Bulgaria and SEE region. Deutsche Bank is one of the leaders in the securitization of assets in emerging markets. Given the turbulent global financial markets, the launch of this transaction will prove critical to our client. The securitization of the leasing receivables of EuroLease Auto will give the company the opportunity to become more price-competitive, increase its net interest margins and strengthen sustainably its market position”, said Mr. Borislav Ivanov, Director of Deutsche Bank Bulgaria.

The transaction is a securitization of leasing receivables of a newly established Bulgarian company – EuroLease Auto Finance EOOD. The leasing contracts will be originated and serviced by EuroLease Auto. The financing is funded through senior asset-backed notes rated BBB+ as well as through a mezzanine loan rated BB+ by Standard and Poor’s Corporation, on its international rating scale.

“The current leasing portfolio of EuroLease Auto is entirely financed with funds from Bulgarian banks as well as local corporate bonds. In the meantime, the global financial crisis has impacted liquidity as well as raised the cost of debt capital from the local capital market. Therefore, we contacted the leader in such transactions – Deutsche Bank, to help us raise capital from the international financial markets.

Securing financing from the international capital markets will enable us to reduce our interest payments and thus substantially increase our net interest income margin. EuroLease Auto is the link between auto dealerships and insurance business of Eurohold Bulgaria group. The transaction is part of the long-term development strategy of Eurohold Bulgaria to realize the synergy among the companies in its structure”, said Mr. Assen Assenov, Executive Director of EuroLease Auto.

Currently EuroLease Auto has the capacity to deploy EUR 5-7 million per month. The new financing, arranged by Deutsche Bank, will enable the company to reach monthly deployment capacity of EUR 10 million of newly generated business and will guarantee the long-term growth of its leasing portfolio. The securing of the new credit resources with the support of Deutsche Bank is an important step for EuroLease Auto’s medium term goal – the generation of a leasing portfolio of BGN 1 bln. In a long-term perspective this will give the company the opportunity to establish itself as one of the key players on the regional leasing market of automobiles and small-load vehicles.

The realization of the first-of-its-kind transaction in Bulgaria – securitization of a leasing portfolio, will enable EuroLease Auto through replication of the structure to secure long-term financing for its other markets of operation such as Romania and Macedonia, as well as Serbia and Russia where the company has plans to commence commercial operations.
The securitization of the leasing portfolio of EuroLease Auto is the second securitization deal executed by Deutsche Bank in Bulgaria. In May 2006 the bank successfully securitized part of the small and medium-sized loan portfolio of ProCredit Bank Bulgaria.