MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Dec. 9, 2015) -
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.
Laurentian Bank of Canada (TSX:LB) ("Laurentian") has announced today that it has entered into an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters led by BMO Capital Markets and RBC Capital Markets, as joint bookrunners, and Laurentian Bank Securities Inc., as co-lead manager (collectively, the "Underwriters"), under which the Underwriters have agreed to buy on a bought deal basis an aggregate of 1,250,000 common shares (the "Shares"), at a price of $52.00 per Share for gross proceeds of $65 million (the "Offering"). Laurentian has granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable at the offering price for a period of 30 days following the closing of the Offering, to purchase up to an additional 15% of the Offering to cover overallotments, if any. The Shares will be offered for sale to the public in each of the provinces of Canada pursuant to a prospectus supplement to Laurentian's short form base shelf prospectus dated November 10, 2014, which supplement will be filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities in all Canadian provinces. The Offering is expected to close on or about December 17, 2015 and is subject to Laurentian receiving all necessary regulatory approvals.
The net proceeds of this Offering will be added to Laurentian's general funds and will be used for general corporate purposes and to support the Bank's future growth initiatives.
The Bank's Common Equity Tier 1 ratio was 7.6% as of October 31, 2015. The Bank estimates that its common equity tier 1 ratio would be approximately 8.0% as at October 31, 2015 after giving effect to the Offering (and without taking into account the over-allotment option).
The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the "U.S. Securities Act"), as amended, and may not be offered, sold or delivered, directly or indirectly, in the United States, its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction or to, of for the account or benefit of, a U.S. person (as such term is defined in the U.S. Securities Act), absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
About Laurentian
Laurentian Bank of Canada is a banking institution whose activities extend across Canada. The Bank serves one and a half million clients throughout the country and employs more than 3,600 people whose talent and dedication have made it a major player in numerous market segments. The Bank has more than $39 billion in balance sheet assets and $42 billion in assets under administration.
Laurentian Bank distinguishes itself through the excellence and simplicity of its services. The Bank caters to the needs of retail clients via its branch network. The Bank has also earned a solid reputation among small and medium-sized enterprises and real estate developers thanks to its specialized teams across Canada, namely in Ontario, Québec, Alberta, British Columbia and Nova Scotia. For their part, B2B Bank is a Canadian leader in providing banking and investment products and services to financial advisors and brokers, while the expertise and effectiveness of Laurentian Bank Securities' integrated brokerage services are known nationwide.
Caution Regarding Forward-looking Statements
In this document and in other documents filed with Canadian regulatory authorities or in other communications, Laurentian Bank of Canada may from time to time make written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Bank's business plan and financial objectives. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are used to assist the Bank's security holders and financial analysts in obtaining a better understanding of the Bank's financial position and the results of operations as at and for the periods ended on the dates presented and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements typically use the conditional, as well as words such as prospects, believe, estimate, forecast, project, expect, anticipate, plan, may, should, could and would, or the negative of these terms, variations thereof or similar terminology.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific in nature. It is therefore possible that the forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or will prove to be inaccurate. Although the Bank believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct.
The Bank cautions readers against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements when making decisions, as the actual results could differ considerably from the opinions, plans, objectives, expectations, forecasts, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements due to various material factors. Among other things, these factors include: changes in capital market conditions, changes in government monetary, fiscal and economic policies, changes in interest rates, inflation levels and general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory developments, changes in competition, modifications to credit ratings, scarcity of human resources, developments in the technological environment, the ability to realize the anticipated benefits from the purchase of an investment loan portfolio, to promptly and effectively integrate the portfolio and the reaction of the seller's customers to the transaction. The Bank further cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that would cause the Bank's actual results to differ from current expectations, please also refer to the Bank's Annual Report in the Management's Discussion and Analysis under the title "Risk Appetite and Risk Management Framework" and other public filings available at www.sedar.com.
The Bank does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether oral or written, made by itself or on its behalf, except to the extent required by securities regulations.