Confidence confirmed as Cyprus issues first ever 15-year bond

Finance Minister Harris Georgiades has spoken of a confirmation of strong confidence on Tuesday after Cyprus raised €1 billion in its first 15-year Treasury bill auction in history.

There was an 8 to 1 bid to cover ratio, as total offers received reached €8 billion, with a yield of 2.75%.

In a short statement, on the sidelines of a Cyprus Institute event in the evening, Georgiades said that the issuance of the first ever 15/year bond in the history of the Republic of Cyprus “was a very important development.”

It was, he added an extremely great bid to cover ratio, eight times over, with a very good rate.

There could be “no stronger confirmation of confidence”, he noted, adding that, there could be “no more concrete act which guarantees stability and positive prospect and our economy.”

“Growth conditions will benefit all our citizens and it is with such steps that an environment of stability, trust and positive prospect is created and established,” the Finance Minister said.

Georgiades had announced earlier on Twitter that "The issue of the first 15-year bond of the Republic of Cyprus has been completed on the international markets: €1 billion, interest rate 2.75%, with total bids of €8 billion! Strong confirmation of confidence and assurance of stability and development prospects for our country".

In a press release the Public Debt Management Office says that the T-bills settlement data is February 26, 2019 while their maturity is February 26 2034.

Mid swap rate was 1.008%, the reoffer yield was 2.758%. The all-in yield was 2.774%.

Citi, Goldman Sachs International and HSBC acted as joint lead managers.