OREANDA-NEWS. On 31 August 2009 was announced, that Kernel Group (KER PW) reported on Friday that it has extended an agreement with an undisclosed European bank on a USD 225 mln trade finance agreement, Interfax said. The company is planning to use the funds to purchase, transport and processes sunflower seeds. Kernel indicated that of the total amount, USD 170 mln will be available to the company this year.

Concorde Capital: Kernel can afford to take up more leverage to finance its working capital needs. As of the end of June 2009, the company’s net debt stood at USD 165.3 mln, and net debt to EBITDA in 2009 was only 0.88.

Concorde Capital is a full service investment bank operating on the Ukrainian, Russian and CIS markets. In 2007 Concorde Capital’s analytical team was recognized as the Top Team covering Ukraine by Thomson Extel's Pan European Survey. Senior Analyst Alexander Paraschiy was recognized as the Leading Pan-European Investment Analyst – European Emerging Markets. Concorde Capital is a leader when it comes to private placements and M&A deals. Concorde Capital’s sale of a stake in Electron Bank to Volksbank International AG was named the Best Ukrainian M&A deal of the year 2007 by the Adam Smith Institute.