Punjab National Bank eyes debut dollar bond issue, bankers say

Punjab National Bank (PNB), one of India's largest state-run lenders, plans to issue a debut dollar bond in the coming weeks, according to two merchant bankers. The lender aims to raise at least $500 million through a 5-year bond issue, with the potential to raise up to $1 billion if rates are favorable and demand remains strong.

The bankers spoke on condition of anonymity, as the matter is still private and PNB has not responded to a Reuters request for comment outside business hours. The issuance is expected to occur in late September or early October, though a sudden spike in Treasury yields may have led to a delay. The bonds will be sold under the discounted swap window, a facility introduced by the Reserve Bank of India in June, which allows banks and state-run companies to raise funds overseas and access a subsidised hedging mechanism to manage currency risk.

The window remains open until the end of December. Another state-run lender, Canara Bank, is also exploring the dollar debt market. In September, PNB submitted a $1.5 billion medium-term note program, a precursor to this fundraising exercise. Rating agencies Moody's and Fitch have assigned PNB's notes a Baa3 and BBB- rating, respectively, consistent with the issuer's credit standing.

Since the central bank announced the discounted scheme, Indian lenders have collectively raised $13 billion through dollar bonds, with five state-run banks amassing $3.5 billion through a mix of private placements and public issues. Notable state-run peers that have utilized this route include State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, and Bank of Maharashtra.