Heritage finds retail investors

There was no formal word at the end of last week, or over the weekend, on the final size of the Heritage Bank retail bond (rated BBB+), even though the book build - for volume not price - was to have taken place on Thursday.

Market speculation, however, was that the book build had been completed early and the deal had doubled in size.

When announced two weeks ago, Heritage aimed to place A$125 million. The bank will pay 7.25 per cent on the bond, which ranks as senior debt, or 175 basis points above the rate on a five-year term deposit from the mutual bank.

National Australia Bank said early last week that it had doubled, to $1 billion, its own sale of subordinated notes aimed at retail investors.