OCBC raises $500 million in lower tier-2 capital from callable deal

OCBC, Singapore's third biggest lender, finds solid European demand for an issue of callable lower tier-2 subordinated bonds with a step-up coupon.

Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) took advantage of stronger credit markets on Tuesday, pricing a $500 million lower tier-2 subordinated bond issue late in the afternoon London-time. It was the first time since December 2007 that an Asian bank has included a call option after five years, and succeeded, despite investor anger earlier this year when Deutsche Bank and Korea's Woori Bank failed to exercise their early redemption options.

The issue pays a coupon of 4.25%, and was reoffered at 99.889 to yield 4.275%, which was165 basis points over mid-swaps or 199.7bp over ...