On 6 May 2016, EFIAG – Emissions- und Finanz AG (EFIAG) issued its first bond, lead managed by Bank Vontobel AG and Regiobank Solothurn AG. It is a fixed rate bond in an amount of CHF 100 m, paying an annual interest of 0.375 per cent. and with a duration of 5 years.

EFIAG is an issuance platform which is owned by 14 Swiss banks and the purpose of which is exclusively to issue bonds and grant loans to the participating banks from the proceeds of the bonds. This enables small and midsized banks to finance themselves indirectly in the capital market by means of this platform.

Homburger assisted WIR Bank Genossenschaft and Regiobank Solothurn AG in the design of the structure of the platform, the drafting of the documentation, the review of the tax aspects, the approval and granting of an exception by the SIX Swiss Exchange for the listing of bonds issued by EFIAG and the drafting of the documents for the inaugural bond issuance. The Homburger team consisted of partners René Bösch (Financial Services) and Stefan Oesterhelt (Tax) and counsel Eduard De Zordi (Financial Services).

With its successful inaugural bond issuance, the platform has introduced itself in the market and provides the participating banks with an innovative way to finance themselves in the capital market efficiently and in a tailor-made way to meet their respective financing requirements.