OREANDA-NEWS. January 05, 2016. In the context of turbulent market conditions, including the recent devaluation of the Manat, an increase in problem loans and a decline in the liquidity position of the International Bank of Azerbaijan (the “Bank”), the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan issued Decree № 507 on 15 July 2015 on “The rehabilitation measures related to the preparation for privatizing the state-owned shares of the “International Bank of Azerbaijan Open Joint Stock Company”” (the “Decree”), which provides for the transfer of certain problem assets of the Bank to “Agrarkredit” Closed Joint Stock Company Non-banking Credit Organization (“Agrarkredit”), which is owned by the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan, working with the Bank have determined a list of problem assets to be transferred to Agrarkredit in accordance with the Decree (the “Affected Assets”). The Affected Assets include primarily loans and advances to customers, which are generally non-performing and high risk. Pursuant to the Decree, the transfer of the Affected Assets is to take place in stages, and up to AZN 3 billion of Affected Assets will be transferred by the Bank to Agrarkredit in 2015, representing approximately 27.9% of the total assets of the Bank as at 30 June 2015.  The transfers are effected against the payment to the Bank of cash consideration equal to the principal of the loans and other assets being transferred plus accrued interest.

As of the date hereof, Affected Assets with a gross book value of approximately AZN 2 billion have been transferred, and the Bank has received payment of AZN 2 billion in cash and expects to receive an additional AZN 1 billion before the end of 2015.

The transfer of the Affected Assets and receipt of the cash consideration have resulted in a considerable improvement in the liquidity position, asset quality, reserves and capital base of the Bank.

As also required by the Decree, the Management Board has been reorganized with Mr Elmar Mammadov elected as chairman of the Board.  Mr Ulvi Mansurov and Mr Murad Shiraliyev were also elected as members of the Management Board.

The Bank has initiated a restructuring process with the purpose of streamlining its operations (human resources and other areas), improvement of its corporate governance, implementation of renewed lending, attraction of new financing and returning the Bank to profitability.

Certain financing agreements entered into by the Bank with international financial institutions contain a restriction on the disposal of assets providing that, subject to certain exceptions, disposals of assets by the Bank must take place in the ordinary course of business at full market value. Without taking a view as to whether the transfer of the Affected Assets was in the ordinary course of business, in October and November 2015, the Bank solicited and received consents for no consideration   from some of its lenders for the transfer of the Affected Assets and acknowledgments that such transfer is a “credit-positive” event.  The Bank has not solicited consents from all of its lenders with similar provisions in their loan documentation.