Mitiska REIM raises €40 million private bond for FRI fund

Mitiska REIM, the leading specialist investment manager in European retail parks, has successfully completed, on behalf of its fund ‘First Retail International NV’ (FRI), the private placement of a €40 million bond. The notes have been issued in three tranches with maturities of 3 and 5 years and fixed coupon rates of 3.50% and 4.00%.

As a result of this bond issue, FRI’s capital structure is further optimized to enhance long-term shareholder value in the context of its low loan-to-value ratio, capitalising on the opportunity in the current low interest rate environment and liquid financial markets.

Bert Heyman, CFO of Mitiska REIM, comments: “The success of this issuance is a testament to the hard work Mitiska REIM has put into managing and streamlining its first fund, FRI, since inception 6 years ago. We are very pleased that we could further extend the investor base as several new investors have subscribed to this inaugural bond issue, after having successfully raised equity in 2012 for FRI of €75 million and €223 million in 2016 for FRI 2. This confirms once more the merits of the investment strategy and quality of the underlying portfolio.”

Tomas Cifra, Investment Director and Corporate Finance at Mitiska REIM, said: “There are a number of positive effects from this transaction, including the further diversification of FRI’s sources of capital and the boosting of IRR for FRI investors. The combined earlier FRI fund distributions, together with the upstreamed net proceeds from this bond transaction, will have largely returned the initial investment to FRI shareholders, whilst they retain full ownership and upside potential in the portfolio in any given exit scenario.”

KBC Bank NV acted as Arranger and Joint Lead Manager, Belfius Bank NV as Joint Lead Manager and Linklaters as transaction counsel.

For further information, please contact:
Luc Geuten
Executive Chairman
Mitiska REIM
Tel: +32 2 583 19 46
lg@mitiska-reim.com

Axel Despriet
CEO
Mitiska REIM
Tel: +32 2 583 19 42
ad@mitiska-reim.com