OREANDA-NEWS. On 16 February 2009 was announced, that the Open Joint Stock Company "Raiffeisen Bank Aval" recently prepaid USD  250 mn of the Syndicated Term Loan Facility in the total amount of USD  500 mn. This syndicate, granted in April 2007, comprises a geographically diversified group of investors represented by more than 40 international financial institutions with the initially planned two-year tenor with one final ("bullet") repayment in April 2009.

"The decision to prepay this loan facility confirms our financial strength and strong commitment to all partners and customers", said Gerhard Boesch, Deputy CEO of Raiffeisen Bank Aval. "Also we consider this transaction as a positive signal from the Ukrainian banking industry to the international financial community", he added.

Raiffeisen Bank Aval, founded in March 1992, is one of the largest Ukrainian banks in terms of a number of core parameters. For example, the bank’s total assets amounted to almost UAH 52.6 billion as at 1 October 2008, up 18 percent on the full year 2007, making it the number two on the local market (all the data are given according to the Ukrainian national accounting standards).

Raiffeisen Bank Aval is a subsidiary bank of Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG. Raiffeisen International operates one of the largest banking networks in Central and Eastern Europe. 17 markets in Europe's growth region are covered by subsidiary banks, leasing companies and a range of other financial service providers. Over 14 million customers are serviced in more than 3,100 business outlets. RZB is the central institution of the Raiffeisen Banking Group and the majority shareholder of Raiffeisen International owning more that two thirds of the stock listed company.