ZURICH, 3 October 2013: GE Money Bank AG (“GEMB” or “the Company”), a leading consumer finance bank in Switzerland, today announces its intention to apply for the listing of all of its issued and outstanding registered shares (the "Shares"), all of which are currently held by GE Capital, in accordance with the main standard on the SIX Swiss Exchange and to offer the majority of its Shares in an initial public offering (“IPO” and collectively, the “Offering”). As part of the proposed IPO, GEMB will be renamed Cembra Money Bank AG.
**NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, JAPAN OR AUSTRALIA**
This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute a prospectus or offering memorandum, or an offer or part of an offer of securities for sale to U.S. persons or in any jurisdiction, including in or into the United States, Canada, Japan or Australia. The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), or the securities laws of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States, and the securities may not be offered, sold, pledged or otherwise transferred absent registration or an exemption from registration. Subject to certain exemptions in accordance with the Securities Act, the securities referred to in this announcement may not be sold or offered for sale in Australia, Canada or Japan or to or for the account of Australian, Canadian, or Japanese persons.
Neither this announcement nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever in any jurisdiction. Any offer to acquire Shares pursuant to the proposed Offering will be made, and any investor should make their investment decision solely on the basis of the information that is contained in the offering memorandum (the “Offering Memorandum”) to be published by GE Money Bank AG in due course in connection with the listing of all of its issued and outstanding 30,000,000 fully paid registered shares of CHF 1.00 par value each on the SIX Swiss Exchange. Copies of the Offering Memorandum will, following publication, be available in Switzerland at Credit Suisse AG, (Zurich).
GE Capital will continue to maintain a strong relationship with GEMB after the proposed IPO to ensure a smooth transition of GEMB to an independent company. Although its residual stake in GEMB following the proposed Offering will reduce over time, GE Capital is committed to retaining a significant minority stake in GEMB for a period of one year under the terms of its proposed lockup arrangements. It will also continue to be an important source of funding for GEMB, providing committed funding of up to CHF 1 billion for five years after the proposed Offering. GE Capital will initially have two directors on the Board of Directors of GEMB after the proposed Offering.
In preparation for the proposed Offering, Credit Suisse has been appointed as Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner and BofA Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank as Joint Bookrunners. Bank Vontobel is acting as Lead Manager. The proposed Offering is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2013, subject to market conditions. Further details will be announced in due course.
Robert Oudmayer, CEO of GEMB, said: “GEMB is a profitable, well-run business with a strong customer base. As a listed company, we will have access to alternative and diversified sources of funding, an enhanced profile as a leading Swiss consumer finance provider and the ability to attract the best talent available. We look forward to our future as an independent bank with confidence.”
Richard Laxer, President and CEO of GE Capital International, said: “The IPO of GEMB is another important step in focusing GE Capital's operations and is consistent with GE's broader strategy to shift its earnings mix to ~70% industrial and ~30% financial. It's an exciting development for GEMB and good for its customers.”
GEMB's business highlights
GEMB has set itself attractive medium-term financial targets:
Following the proposed Offering and in line with the various initiatives undertaken by the Company to diversify its funding sources, GEMB intends to fully draw under a CHF 450.0 million 3-year term loan provided by a consortium of international banks. This, together with the CHF 1 billion of GE Capital 5-year committed funding, will be used to refinance an existing credit facility provided by GE Capital.
Additionally, to facilitate its funding strategy as a stand-alone company, GEMB has engaged a leading international credit rating agency to deliver an independent credit rating for the Company and expects its corporate credit rating to be solid investment grade.
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Further information about GEMB
GEMB is a bank with a well-established position in Swiss consumer finance. GEMB is regulated by FINMA, holds a banking licence and provides a range of financial products and services. GEMB holds leading positions in Switzerland for its personal loans and auto loans & leases. It has a growing credit card business based on partnering with Swiss retailers and other institutions.
Headquartered in Zurich, the Company operates almost exclusively in Switzerland through a nationwide network of 25 branches as well as through alternative distribution channels, such as the internet, credit card partners, independent agents and over 3,200 auto dealers.
The Company generated a net income of approximately CHF 133 million in 2012. As at 30 June 2013, GEMB had financing receivables of over CHF4 billion and a pro forma consolidated Tier 1 capital ratio of 19.6%(1). It had approximately 700 full time equivalent employees, serving approximately 618,000 customers.
GE Capital entered Switzerland with the acquisition of Bank Aufina in 1997 and Bank Prokredit in 1998, respectively founded in 1912 and 1953. In 2006, GE Capital brought the consumer credit business together under the GEMB brand.
For more information visit: gemoneybank.ch
(1) The Company's pro forma consolidated Tier 1 capital ratio as at 30 June 2013 assumes that the interim dividend of CHF 200 million paid by the Company in August 2013 was paid as at 30 June 2013 and takes into account the full amount of the Company's net income for the six-month period ended 30 June 2013.
About GE Capital International
GE Capital International is a leading provider of specialist finance to the mid-market, with headquarters in London and serving customers from 26 countries across Europe, the Middle-East and Asia Pacific.
With over 27,000 employees and revenues of approximately USD 12 billion, GE Capital International is focused on driving growth in its core commercial leasing & lending products and markets. It provides mid-market customers with a wide range of financing solutions including accounts receivable management, inventory finance, asset backed lending, cross-border financing, leveraged finance, leasing/vendor finance and fleet management solutions.
GE Capital International focuses on sectors where it can share GE's 130+ year heritage with customers - energy, healthcare, transportation and industrial. Through its ‘Access GE' programme, GE Capital gives customers access to GE's experience and expertise to help solve their biggest business issues and challenges.
For more info, visit GE.Capital.com
Contact Information GEMB
Media Contact
Brigitte Kaps, [+41 44 439 8194 / brigitte.kaps@ge.com]
Martin Meier-Pfister, [ +41 43 244 81 40 / martin.meier-pfister@irfcom.ch]
Investor Relations
Christian Waelti, [+41 44 439 8572 / christian.waelti@ge.com]
Contact information GE Capital International
Angela Grundey, [+44 7917 277419 / angela.grundey@ge.com]
Investor Relations:
Neil Doyle, FTI Communications [+44 207 269 7237 / neil.doyle@fticonsulting.com]