BCR Eyes Bond in 2013

Banco de Costa Rica is targeting the third quarter of 2013 for a $500m international bond debut, CFO Leonardo Acuna Alvarado tells LatinFinance. The official explains the bank expects to price 25bp wide of the sovereign, and that an additional investment grade mark for Baa3/BB+/BB+ Costa Rica is possible by next year, making pricing even more attractive. Costa Rica raised $1bn in 2022 bonds Friday at a 4.25% yield in its first cross-border deal since 2004. Acuna says that the bank is looking to raise funds for acquisitions in Central America, as it eyes becoming Costa Rica’s largest bank, up from second place at the moment, and becoming the third-largest in Central America. The official does not elaborate on acquisition plans or give additional details about the bond issuance.