Gov't Bonds for Public Worth €245 mn Sold on Day 1, Total Sum to Be Increased

Bratislava, 3 March (TASR) - Bonds worth €245 million were sold during the first day of the sale of the new government bond issue for the public floated on Monday (2 March), the Finance Ministry reported on Tuesday, adding that Investor II bonds accounted for €146 million and Patriot II for €99 million. "Based on the high level of demand, the Debt and Liquidity Management Agency (ARDAL) has decided to increase the volume on offer from €400 million to €500 million. The sale will continue until the planned volume of €500 million is reached," said the ministry. The sale is being mediated by five banks - Ceskoslovenska obchodna banka, Slovenska sporitelna, Tatra banka, UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, and Vseobecna uverova banka. "People can purchase the bonds at branches of the aforementioned banks across Slovakia, as well as via their electronic sales channels," added the ministry. The sale of the new bond issue for the public is scheduled from 2 March to 20 March, or until the whole issue is sold out. The total amount was initially set at €400 million, with the possibility of an increase of €100 million. Two kinds of bonds are available for sale: the two-year Investor II with a yield of 2.7 percent p.a., and the four-year Patriot II with a yield of 3 percent p.a. The yields are exempt of taxes, levies and fees. ko/df