Assured Guaranty Issues £140 Million Debt Service Reserve Guarantees to Associated British Ports

Rhea-AI Summary

Assured Guaranty UK (AGUK) has issued £140 million in five-year debt service reserve (DSR) guarantees to Associated British Ports (ABP) Group. These guarantees replace existing liquidity facilities from relationship banks. The transaction represents a strategic move for ABP to diversify its capital base and secure long-term commitment. AGUK, rated AA by S&P Global Ratings, A1 by Moody's, and AA+ by Kroll Bond Rating Agency, sees this as an opportunity to expand its debt service guarantee services to key infrastructure corporate clients.

Positive

• Secured a significant £140 million DSR guarantee deal with UK's leading port operator
• Strategic expansion into infrastructure corporate clients segment
• Strong credit ratings: AA (S&P), A1 (Moody's), AA+ (Kroll)

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

This £140 million debt service reserve guarantee deal with Associated British Ports represents a strategic expansion of Assured Guaranty's infrastructure financing portfolio in the UK market. The transaction effectively replaces existing bank facilities, providing ABP with diversified funding sources while potentially generating steady fee income for AGO over the five-year term.

The deal showcases AGO's strong credit ratings (AA/A1/AA+) and demonstrates its ability to compete with traditional bank financing in the infrastructure sector. For investors, this represents positive business development as it:

• Expands AGO's presence in the stable infrastructure sector
• Provides predictable revenue streams
• Leverages the company's strong credit position to capture market share from traditional lenders

The UK infrastructure market presents significant growth opportunities and this deal could serve as a template for similar transactions, potentially leading to increased business volume in this sector.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Assured Guaranty UK Limited (AGUK)* announced today that it has issued five-year debt service reserve (DSR) guarantees for the benefit of ABP Acquisitions UK Limited and ABP Finance Plc of the Associated British Ports (ABP) Group. The £140 million DSR guarantees issued by Assured Guaranty replace equivalent existing liquidity facilities provided by relationship banks.

Ashish Anand, Managing Director, AGUK, commented:

"We are extremely pleased to announce this landmark transaction with the UK's leading port owner. We welcome the fact that ABP has recognised the advantages of diversifying its capital base, freeing up its bank lines and securing a commitment for the next five years with debt service reserve guarantees from Assured Guaranty.”

Dominic Nathan, Chief Executive, AGUK, commented:

“The closing of this transaction marks a broadening of our debt service guarantee provisioning to key infrastructure corporate clients. ABP provides vital infrastructure and services to the UK and plays a significant role in the UK’s trading economy. We believe similar opportunities exist in the wider infrastructure market and we look forward to continuing to widen our client base.”

Domiciled in London, AGUK is rated AA by S&P Global Ratings, A1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA+ by Kroll Bond Rating Agency.

AGUK’s legal adviser on the transaction was Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP in London.

*AGUK (company number 2510099) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. AGUK provides its financial guarantee together with a co-guarantee from its affiliate Assured Guaranty Inc. (AG). Both AGUK and AG are subsidiaries of Assured Guaranty Ltd. (AGL and, together with its subsidiaries, Assured Guaranty). Through its subsidiaries, Assured Guaranty provides credit enhancement products to the U.S. and non-U.S. public finance, infrastructure and structured finance markets. Assured Guaranty also participates in the asset management business through its ownership interest in Sound Point Capital Management, LP and certain of its investment management affiliates. AGL is a publicly traded (NYSE: AGO), Bermuda-based holding company. More information on AGL and its subsidiaries can be found at AssuredGuaranty.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Any forward-looking statements made in this press release reflect Assured Guaranty’s current views with respect to future events and are made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those resulting from difficulties executing Assured Guaranty’s business strategy; the demand for Assured Guaranty’s financial guarantees; actions that the rating agencies may take with respect to Assured Guaranty’s financial strength ratings; adverse developments in Assured Guaranty’s guaranteed portfolio; and other risks and uncertainties that have not been identified at this time, management’s response to these factors, and other risk factors identified in AGL’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are made as of 25 November 2024. Assured Guaranty undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241124180048/en/

Investor Relations:

Robert Tucker, +1 212-339-0861

Senior Managing Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications

rtucker@agltd.com

Media:

Ashweeta Durani, +1 212-408-6042

Director, Corporate Communications

adurani@agltd.com

Source: Assured Guaranty Ltd.

FAQ

What is the value of Assured Guaranty's (AGO) debt service reserve guarantees to Associated British Ports?

Assured Guaranty issued £140 million in debt service reserve guarantees to Associated British Ports.

What is the duration of AGO's debt service reserve guarantees for Associated British Ports?

The debt service reserve guarantees have a five-year duration.

What are Assured Guaranty UK's (AGO) current credit ratings in 2024?

Assured Guaranty UK is rated AA by S&P Global Ratings, A1 by Moody's Investors Service, and AA+ by Kroll Bond Rating Agency.

What did AGO's debt service reserve guarantees replace for Associated British Ports?

The guarantees replaced equivalent existing liquidity facilities that were previously provided by relationship banks.