BTS Group to raise funds through debenture this month

BTS Group’s debentures are assigned a rating “A-” by TRIS Rating. The subscription period is expected to take place at the end of October 2023 with six leading financial institutions mandated as joint lead arrangers.

BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited or BTS Group is preparing to offer Unsubordinated and Unsecured Debentures with a Debenture holders’ Representative in the Name-Registered to the general public.

The Debentures consist of 4 tranches, including 2-year, 5-year, 10-year and 12-year debentures.

The subscription period is expected to take place from 30 October to 1 November 2023. With the issue credit rating “A” by TRIS Rating, BTS Group is confident that the Debentures will be well-received by investors who are looking to invest in “investment grade” debentures of a company with potential growth to expand into a variety of businesses beyond mass transit services, in accordance to its 3M strategy: MOVE, MIX and MATCH.

Chawadee Rungruang, Chief Financial Officer of BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited or “BTS Group”, revealed that the Company is in the process of submitting the registration statement and draft prospectus for debentures issuance to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The debentures consist of 4 tranches, including a 2-year tenor with coupon rate [3.60-3.90%] per annum, a 5-year tenor with coupon rate [4.20-4.50]%per annum, a 10-year tenor with coupon rate [4.60-4.90]% per annum, and a 12-year tenor with coupon rate [4.75-4.95]% per annum. The final coupon rate for each tenor has yet to be finalised.

Interest payment for the Debentures will be on semi-annual basis. The Debentures will be offered to a general public and the subscription period is expected to be during 30 October to 1 November 2023. BTS Group appoints six leading financial institutions as joint lead arrangers, including Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited, KASIKORNBANK Public Company Limited, Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited, CIMB Thai Bank Public Company Limited, and Kiatnakin Phatra Securities Public Company Limited.

The debentures are rated "A-", the same level as the Company's credit rating with a “Stable” outlook by TRIS Rating Company Limited (TRIS Rating), announced on 19 September 2023.

The rating reflects the Company’s strong business profile based on the steady service income from operating and maintaining its Sky Train operation (O&M services), the sizable cash flow received from its 33.33% investment in the BTS Rail Mass Transit Growth Infrastructure Fund (BTSGIF) and its entrenched position in the media business.  

TRIS Rating also revealed that its outlook reflects TRIS Rating's expectation that BTS Group's operating results will continue to improve due to an increase in revenue from Operating and Maintenance (O&M) services and a recovery in the advertising media business. In addition, the rating outlook reflects TRIS Rating's expectation that the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will repay the outstanding receivables to the company in the imminent future.

BTS Group’s core business consists of 3M businesses.

First, MOVE business, which is a door-to-door transportation service provider for passengers with various modes of travel, including rail, road, water and air. Also, the Company is the pioneer of Sky Train operator for more than 20 years.

Second, MIX business or marketing comprehensive service provider in the form of Offline-to-Online (O2O) solutions, that uses Smart DATA to transform over 40 million insights from its advertising media business platform (Advertising), Digital Services Business (Digital Services), Distribution Business (Distribution)and business alliances to create effective marketing services as well as helping brands reach their target customers at every point of their journey to provide a better experience.

And lastly, MATCH business, which seeks new business opportunities and cooperation through the company's MIX and MOVE platform by sharing within the group of companies and among its business partners.

“We are ‘Beyond Transport Company’ as we are more than a mass transit services provide. Under our 3M strategy: MOVE, MIX and MATCH, allows us to expand into a variety of businesses with potential growth. This is consistent with the lifestyle of people in the digital era. We are confident this business model will be the driving force for the change for the better and will help improve our operation to be more efficient to promote strong and sustainable growth in the future. With all these factors, we believe that public will show large interest in investing in the company's debentures," said the Chief Financial Officer of BTS Group.

BTS Group has also affirmed its leadership in sustainability. It has been announced as the world's number 1 sustainable transportation company for three consecutive years by S&P Global. It is considered to be among the top 1% of leaders in the transportation and transportation infrastructure industry announced in the 2023 S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook, a testament to our global sustainability leadership. This also reflects BTS Group’s commitment to operating within the sustainable business development framework.

Currently, the Company is in the process of filing the registration statement and the draft prospectus, which are yet to be effective.

Potential investors who are interested to in the subscription of the Debentures of BTS Group may seek for more information and the details of the Debentures in the prospectus on SEC’s website (www.sec.or.th) or may contact the followings 6 financial institutions:

1. Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (except Micro Branches) Tel. 1333, or subscript online via Bualuang mBanking application (https://www.bangkokbank.com/th-TH/Personal/Digital-Banking/Bualuang-mBanking/).

2. Krung Thai Bank Public Company Limited, or book online via Krungthai Next application (for individual only)

3. KASIKORNBANK Public Company Limited (Retail investors can subscribe via online channel (https://www.kasikornbank.com/kmyinvest), non-residents can subscribe at head office and branches) Tel. 02-888-8888 press 819, including KSecurities Public Company Limited, as a sales unit of KASIKORNBANK  Public Company Limited, Tel. 02-796-0000 or 02-796-0011

4. The Siam Commercial Bank Public Company Limited Tel. 02-777-6784, or subscribe online via the SCB EASY application (for individual only).

5. CIMB Thai Bank Public Company Limited Tel. 02-626-7777, or book online through the CIMB Thai Digital Banking application

6. Kiatnakin Phatra Securities Public Company Limited**: Tel. 02-165-5555, or book online through the application Dime! for individual general investors, including Kiatnakin Phatra Bank Public Company Limited, as a sales unit Kiatnakin Phatra Securities Public Company Limited.