ARDAL: Two-year Bond Sold Out, Four-year One to Be Sold Out Soon as Well

Bratislava, March 5 (TASR) - The entire planned issue of the two-year Investor government bond for the public worth €250 million has already been sold out, the Debt and Liquidity Management Agency (ARDAL) announced on Wednesday, adding that people can still buy the four-year Patriot bond. "Strong demand for the bonds continues. Government bonds worth €427 million had been sold as of 10.30 a.m. today, of which Investor accounted for €250 million and Patriot €177 million," said ARDAL. The sale of government bonds for the public was launched on Monday (March 3). Due to the high demand for them, the agency on Tuesday (March 4) decided to increase the value of bonds on offer from €400 million to €500 million, i.e. €250 million for each. The sale of bonds for the public is being mediated by five banks, namely, CSOB, Slovenska sporitelna, Tatra banka, UniCredit Bank and Vseobecna uverova banka. "The bonds are available to people through the these banks' branches all over Slovakia and their e-distribution channels," added ARDAL. ARDAL prepared the issue of the two types of bond with different maturity periods. The interest rates are 3 percent for the two-year Investor bond and 3.3 percent for the four-year Patriot bond, with the yield being exempt of taxes, levies and fees. The minimum bond value is €1,000, and the first purchase opportunity is limited to March, or until the whole issue is sold out. Bonds can be subsequently traded on the stock exchange. ko/df