REG - Bank of Cyprus Hldgs - Response to statement by LSF XI Investments LLC

Bank of Cyprus HoldingsAnnouncement

19/08/2022 18:30

For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
http://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20220819:nRSS6820Wa&default-theme=true

RNS Number : 6820W  Bank of Cyprus Holdings PLC  19 August 2022

Announcement

 

Response to statement by LSF XI Investments LLC

 

Nicosia, 19 August 2022

 

 

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of
the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014. and as the same has been retained
in UK law as amended by the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations (SI
2019/310).

 

 

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION (DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY) IN WHOLE
OR IN PART IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A
VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION.

 

 

 

THIS IS AN ANNOUNCEMENT UNDER RULE 2.4 OF THE IRISH TAKEOVER PANEL ACT, 1997,
TAKEOVER RULES, 2022 (THE "IRISH TAKEOVER RULES") AND IS NOT AN ANNOUNCEMENT
OF A FIRM INTENTION TO MAKE AN OFFER UNDER RULE 2.7 OF THE IRISH TAKEOVER
RULES OR SECTION 6 OF THE CYPRIOT TAKEOVER BIDS LAW OF 2007 (LAW 41(I)/2007)

 

 

 

Group Profile

 

The Bank of Cyprus Group is the leading banking and financial services group
in Cyprus, providing a wide range of financial products and services which
include retail and commercial banking, finance, factoring, investment banking,
brokerage, fund management, private banking, life and general insurance. At 31
March 2022, the Bank of Cyprus Group operated through a total of 86 branches
in Cyprus, of which 11 operated as cash offices. Bank of Cyprus also has
representative offices in Russia, Ukraine and China. As at 31 March 2022, the
Bank of Cyprus Group employed 3,395 staff worldwide. The Bank of Cyprus Group
comprises Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company, its subsidiary Bank
of Cyprus Public Company Limited and its subsidiaries.

 

*The Bank of Cyprus Group employed 3,395 staff worldwide as at 31 March 2022.
The number of staff has been reduced by c.550 employees following the
completion of a voluntary staff exit plan in July 2022.

 

The Board of Bank of Cyprus Holdings PLC ('Bank of Cyprus' or the 'Company'
and the 'Board') notes the announcement made by LSF XI Investments LLC ('Lone
Star') on 19 August 2022 and confirms that it has received and unanimously
rejected three unsolicited, conditional, non-binding proposals from Lone Star
relating to a possible cash offer for the entire issued, and to be issued,
share capital of the Company.

The first proposal was received on 5 May 2022 at a price of €1.25 per Bank
of Cyprus share (the 'First Proposal'). Following careful consideration
together with its financial advisers, the Board unanimously rejected the First
Proposal on 20 May 2022.

The second proposal was received on 25 May 2022 at a price of €1.38 per Bank
of Cyprus share (the 'Second Proposal'). Following careful consideration
together with its financial advisers, the Board unanimously rejected the
Second Proposal on 3 June 2022.

A further approach from Lone Star was received on 16 June 2022 seeking a
meeting regarding execution considerations relating to the Second Proposal.
The financial terms of the proposal presented in the 16 June 2022 approach
were unchanged from those contained in the Second Proposal, which was
unanimously rejected on 3 June 2022. Accordingly, the Board unanimously
rejected this further approach and request for engagement on 29 June 2022.

The third proposal was received on 8 July 2022 at a price of €1.51 per Bank
of Cyprus share (the 'Third Proposal'). The Board, having carefully considered
the Third Proposal together with its financial advisers, concluded that it
fundamentally undervalues the Company and its future prospects and was not in
the best interests of the Company, its shareholders or other stakeholders.
Accordingly, the Board unanimously rejected the Third Proposal on 22 July
2022. The Board has not received any further approach from Lone Star since 22
July 2022 and confirms it is not currently considering any proposal from Lone
Star.

In addition to fundamentally undervaluing the Company and its future
prospects, the Board believes that the proposal from Lone Star does not
adequately address the complexities of completing a transaction to acquire
Bank of Cyprus, given its strategic importance to Cyprus.

The Board is confident in the Company's future prospects and remains committed
to delivering its strategy of becoming a stronger, safer and a more focused
institution capable of further supporting the recovery of the Cypriot economy.
Bank of Cyprus updated its medium-term strategic targets in February 2022 and
upgraded its expectations in May 2022. The Board reiterates the guidance given
in May 2022, including delivery of a return on tangible equity of greater than
10% in 2024 and, subject to performance and relevant approvals, a return to
dividend distributions from 2023 onwards. The Board remains confident in its
ability to implement its strategic objectives, delivering strong shareholder
returns in the medium and long term, and accordingly has unequivocally
rejected the proposal from Lone Star.

Shareholders are strongly urged to take no action at this time.

There can be no certainty that any formal offer will be made nor as to the
terms on which any offer might be made. This announcement is being made
without the agreement or approval of Lone Star.

For further information, please contact:

 Bank of Cyprus Holdings PLC                                     Aurrera Communications

 Annita Pavlou                                                   Karen Le Cannu
 Manager Investor Relations & ESG                                Managing Director
 investors@bankofcyprus.com (mailto:investors@bankofcyprus.com)  karen.lecannu@aurreracomms.com (mailto:karen.lecannu@aurreracomms.com)
 Tel: +357 2212 2239                                             Tel: +33 (0) 6 98 23 86 13

 

Goldman Sachs International (Joint Financial Adviser to Bank of
Cyprus)

+44 (0) 20 7774 1000

Harry Eliades

Francesco Paolicelli

Owain Evans

Dimitris Kofitsas

Cara Pazdon

Jorge Torrecilla

 

HSBC (Joint Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker to Bank of
Cyprus)

+44 (0) 20 7991 8888

Anthony Parsons

Simon Alexander
 

Alexander Paul

Sam McLennan

Richard Carr

Alex Thomas

 

In accordance with Rule 26.1 of the Irish Takeover Rules, a copy of this
announcement will be available on the Company's website at
https://www.bankofcyprus.com/en-gb/group/
(https://www.bankofcyprus.com/en-gb/group/) by no later than 12.00 (noon)
(Irish/UK time) on the business day following publication of this
announcement. The content of the website referred to in this announcement is
not incorporated into, and does not form part of, this announcement. This
announcement is not intended to, and does not, constitute or form part of any
offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise
acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of, any securities, or the
solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, pursuant to this
announcement or otherwise. Any offer will be made solely by certain offer
documentation which will contain the full terms and conditions of any offer,
including details of how it may be accepted.

This announcement has been prepared in accordance with and in compliance with
the applicable laws of Ireland, Cyprus and England and information disclosed
may not be the same as that which would have been prepared in accordance with
the laws of other jurisdictions.

The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than Ireland,
Cyprus and the United Kingdom and the availability of any offer to
shareholders of Bank of Cyprus who are not resident in Ireland, Cyprus or the
United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of relevant jurisdictions.
Therefore, any persons who are subject to the laws of any jurisdiction other
than Ireland, Cyprus or the United Kingdom or shareholders of Bank of Cyprus
who are not resident in Ireland, Cyprus or the United Kingdom will need to
inform themselves about, and observe, any applicable requirements.

Goldman Sachs International, which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation
Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential
Regulation Authority in the UK, is acting exclusively for Bank of Cyprus and
no one else in connection with the matters referred to in this announcement
and will not be responsible to anyone other than Bank of Cyprus for providing
the protections afforded to clients of Goldman Sachs International or for
providing advice in connection with the matters referred to in this
announcement. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by
Goldman Sachs International as to the contents of this announcement.

HSBC Bank plc is authorised by the PRA and regulated by the FCA and the PRA in
the United Kingdom and is acting exclusively for Bank of Cyprus and no one
else in connection with the possible offer and other matters referred to in
this announcement and will not regard any other person (whether or not a
recipient of this announcement) as a client in relation to the possible offer
or any other matters referred to in this announcement and is not, and will not
be, responsible to anyone other than Bank of Cyprus for providing the
protections afforded to its clients or for providing advice in relation to the
possible offer, the contents of this announcement or any transaction or
arrangement referred to in this announcement.

Requesting hard copy information

Any Bank of Cyprus shareholder may request a copy of this announcement in hard
copy form by writing to Bank of Cyprus Holdings PLC, Ten Earlsfort Terrace,
Dublin, D02 T380, Ireland or 51 Stassinos Street, Ayia Paraskevi, 2002
Strovolos, Nicosia, Cyprus or by contacting the Company Secretary of Bank of
Cyprus via telephone on +35722122080 or by email to
Company.Secretary@bankofcyprus.com. Any written requests must include the
identity of the Bank of Cyprus shareholder and any hard copy documents will be
posted to the address of the Bank of Cyprus shareholder provided in the
written request.

A hard copy of this announcement will not be sent to Bank of Cyprus
shareholders unless requested.

Jurisdiction

Bank of Cyprus is a public limited company incorporated in Ireland with
relevant securities listed and admitted to trading on the Main Market of the
London Stock Exchange and on the Cyprus Stock Exchange. As a result, any
transaction to acquire Bank of Cyprus which constitutes a "takeover bid" (as
defined in Directive 2004/25/EC (the "Takeover Bids Directive")) will be
subject to the shared jurisdiction of the Irish Takeover Panel and the Cyprus
Securities Exchange Commission in line with the procedures set out in Article
4 of the Takeover Bids Directive, as implemented in Ireland and Cyprus. Any
transaction to acquire control of Bank of Cyprus which proceeds otherwise than
by way of takeover bid will be subject to the jurisdiction of the Irish
Takeover Panel under the Irish Takeover Rules. Prior to a determination being
made as to the manner in which any transaction to acquire Bank of Cyprus would
be implemented, the possible offer is subject to the jurisdiction of both the
Irish Takeover Panel and the Cyprus Securities Exchange Commission. As noted
above, there is no certainty that any formal offer to acquire Bank of Cyprus
will be made nor as to the terms on which any offer might be made.

Responsibility Statement

The Directors of Bank of Cyprus accept responsibility for the information
contained in this announcement. To the best of their knowledge and belief
(having taken all reasonable care to ensure such is the case), the information
contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts and does not
omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.

Disclosure requirements of the Irish Takeover Rules

Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Irish Takeover Rules, any person who is 'interested'
(directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities'
of Bank of Cyprus must make an 'opening position disclosure' by no later than
3.30pm (Irish/UK time) on 2 September 2022. An 'opening position disclosure'
must contain the details specified in Rule 8.6(a) of the Irish Takeover Rules,
including details of the person's interests and short positions in any
'relevant securities' of Bank of Cyprus. Relevant persons who deal in any
'relevant securities' of Bank of Cyprus prior to the deadline for making an
'opening position disclosure' must instead make a dealing disclosure as
described below.

Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, any person 'interested'
(directly or indirectly) in 1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities'
of Bank of Cyprus must disclose all 'dealings' in such 'relevant securities'
during the 'offer period'. The disclosure of a 'dealing' in 'relevant
securities' by a person to whom Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later
than 3.30 pm (Irish/UK time) on the business day following the date of the
transaction. A dealing disclosure must contain the details specified in Rule
8.6(b) of the Irish Takeover Rules, including details of the dealing concerned
and of the person's interests and short positions in any 'relevant securities'
of Bank of Cyprus.

In addition, Lone Star must make an 'opening position disclosure' by no later
than 12.00 (noon) (Irish/UK time) on 2 September 2022 and disclose details of
any 'dealings' by it or any person 'acting in concert' with it in 'relevant
securities' of Bank of Cyprus by no later than 12.00 (noon) (Irish/UK time) on
the business day following the date of the transaction.

All 'dealings' in 'relevant securities' of Bank of Cyprus by Lone Star, or by
any party acting in concert with Lone Star, must also be disclosed by no later
than 12 noon (Irish/UK time) on the 'business' day following the date of the
relevant transaction. If two or more persons co-operate on the basis of an
agreement, either express or tacit, either oral or written, to acquire for one
or more of them an interest in relevant securities, they will be deemed to be
a single person for these purposes.

Disclosure tables, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant
securities' 'opening positions' and 'dealings' should be disclosed, can be
found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie.

'Interests' in securities arise, in summary, when a person has long economic
exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of
securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by
virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option
in respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.

Terms in quotation marks in this section are defined in the Irish Takeover
Rules, which can also be found on the Irish Takeover Panel's website. If you
are in any doubt as to whether or not you are required to disclose a dealing
or an opening position under Rule 8, please consult the Irish Takeover Panel's
website at www.irishtakeoverpanel.ie or contact the Irish Takeover Panel on
telephone number +353 1 678 9020.

Disclosure requirements of the Cypriot Takeover Bids Law

In addition to the requirements under Rule 8 of the Irish Takeover Rules as
outlined above, under section 26 of the Cypriot Takeover Bids Law, during the
'period of the takeover bid':

(a)  Lone Star and every person holding a percentage of five per cent (5%) or
more of the voting rights of Bank of Cyprus or Lone Star, must announce
immediately, in accordance with the provisions of the Cypriot Takeovers Bids
Law, every acquisition of securities in Bank of Cyprus or Lone Star made by
themselves or by persons acting in their own name but on their behalf or in
concert with them or by undertakings controlled by them, as well as the
acquisition price and any voting rights already held in that company; and

 

(b)  every person acquiring a percentage equal to half per cent (0.5%) or
greater of the voting rights of Bank of Cyprus or Lone Star, must make an
announcement for this acquisition in accordance with the provisions of the
Cypriot Takeovers Bids Law, as well as every subsequent acquisition of
securities of these companies by themselves or by persons acting in their own
name but on their behalf or in concert with them or by undertakings controlled
by them, as well as the acquisition price and any voting rights already held
in that company.

Terms in quotation marks in this section are defined in the Cypriot Takeover
Bids Law, which can also be found on the website of the Securities and
Exchange Commission of Cyprus at www.cysec.gov.cy (http://www.cysec.gov.cy) .

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward looking and so involve
risk and uncertainty because they relate to events, and depend upon
circumstances that will occur in the future and therefore results and
developments can differ materially from those anticipated. The forward looking
statements reflect knowledge and information available at the date of
preparation of this announcement and Bank of Cyprus undertakes no obligation
to update these forward-looking statements.

No Profit Forecast / Asset Valuations

No statement in this announcement is intended to constitute a profit forecast
for any period, nor should any statements be interpreted to mean that earnings
or earnings per share will necessarily be greater or lesser than those for the
relevant preceding financial periods for Bank of Cyprus or Lone Star as
appropriate. No statement in this announcement constitutes an asset valuation.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
 or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
.   END  RSPGPUWGRUPPGMB