Athene Holding Ltd. Announces Expiration and Results of Tender Offers by Athene Global Funding

Rhea-AI Summary

Athene Holding Ltd. announced the results of its tender offers for cash concerning two series of senior secured medium-term notes. The Series 2022-6 Offer targeted $500 million of 3.205% notes due 2027, with $260.1 million validly tendered. The Series 2020-5 Offer targeted $650 million of 2.450% notes due 2027, with $238.1 million validly tendered. Both offers expired on September 12, 2022, with settlements expected on September 13, 2022. The offers mark a significant development in Athene's funding strategy, aimed at enhancing financial flexibility.

Positive

• Successful tender offers for Series 2022-6 and Series 2020-5 notes indicate strong market interest.
• $260.1 million of Series 2022-6 Notes and $238.1 million of Series 2020-5 Notes were validly tendered.

Negative

• Both offerings fell short of their respective targets ($500 million and $650 million), indicating potential concerns regarding market demand.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Sept. 13, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Athene Holding Ltd. (“Athene”) announced today the expiration and results of Athene Global Funding’s (the “Issuer”) previously announced offers to purchase for cash (i) with respect to Series 2022-6 (the “Series 2022-6 Offer”), $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its Series 2022-6 3.205% senior secured medium term notes due 2027 (the “Series 2022-6 Notes”) and (ii) with respect to Series 2020-5 (the “Series 2020-5 Offer” and, together with the Series 2022-6 Offer, the “Offers”), $650,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its Series 2020-5 2.450% senior secured medium term notes due 2027 (the “Series 2020-5 Notes” and, together with the Series 2022-6 Notes, the “Notes”).

“We’re pleased with the results of this first-of-its-kind tender offer for a Funding Agreement Backed Note and the market focus it brought to our program,” said Grant Kvalheim, President of Athene Holding.

The Series 2022-6 Offer and the Series 2020-5 Offer were two separate offers.

The Offers were made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in separate offers to purchase, each dated September 6, 2022 (each, an “Offer to Purchase”), and their accompanying notices of guaranteed delivery (each, a “Notice of Guaranteed Delivery” and, together with the applicable Offers to Purchase, the “Tender Offer Documents”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this announcement have the meanings given to them in the Offers to Purchase.

Each of the Offers expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 12, 2022 (the "Expiration Time"). The Settlement Date is expected to be September 13, 2022, which is the first business day after the Expiration Time. The guaranteed delivery procedures must be completed by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September 14, 2022 (the “Guaranteed Delivery Time”), which is the second business day after the Expiration Time.

According to information provided by Global Bondholder Services Corporation, the information agent and tender agent in connection with the Offers, (i) (a) $260,105,000 aggregate principal amount of the Series 2022-6 Notes were validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Time and were not validly withdrawn and (b) $174,000 aggregate principal amount of the Series 2022-6 Notes were tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures and remain subject to the Holders’ performance of the delivery requirements under such procedures and (ii) (a) $238,143,000 aggregate principal amount of the Series 2020-5 Notes were validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Time and were not validly withdrawn and (b) $796,000 aggregate principal amount of the Series 2020-5 Notes were tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures and remain subject to the Holders’ performance of the delivery requirements under such procedures. The table below provides the aggregate principal amount of the Series 2022-6 Notes and Series 2020-5 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Expiration Time.

Series 2022-6 Tender Offer
Title of Security	CUSIP Number / ISIN	Principal Amount Outstanding		Principal Amount Tendered (1)		Tender Offer Consideration (2)
3.205% Senior Secured Medium-Term Notes due March 2027	04685A3L3/US04685A3L31 (144A) 04686E3S9/US04686E3S91 (Reg S)	$500,000,000		$260,105,000		$918.07

Series 2020-5 Tender Offer
Title of Security	CUSIP Number / ISIN	Principal Amount Outstanding		Principal Amount Tendered (1)		Tender Offer Consideration (2)
2.450% Senior Secured Medium-Term Notes due August 2027	04685A2P5/US04685A2P53 (144A) 04686E2S0/US04686E2R28 (Temporary Reg S) 04686E2R2/US04686E2R28 (Permanent Reg S)	$650,000,000		$238,143,000		$878.41

(1) The principal amounts tendered as reflected in the table above exclude the following aggregate principal amount of the Notes that may be validly tendered pursuant to guaranteed delivery procedures and accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer: (i) with respect to the Series 2022-6 Offer, $174,000 aggregate principal amount of the Series 2022-6 Notes and (ii) with respect to the Series 2020-5 Offer, $796,000 aggregate principal amount of the Series 2020-5 Notes.

(2) Per $1,000 principal amount of Notes validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Time or the Guaranteed Delivery Time pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures and not validly withdrawn and accepted for purchase (and subject to the applicable authorized denomination), calculated on the basis of the bid-side price of the U.S. Treasury Reference Security as of 2:00 pm New York City time on September 12, 2022. Does not include Accrued Interest (as defined below).

With respect to each Offer, the Issuer expects to accept, on the applicable Settlement Date or Guaranteed Delivery Time (as applicable), all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Expiration Time, including Notes delivered in accordance with the guaranteed delivery procedures. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable Tender Offer Documents, Holders who (i) validly tendered Notes at or prior to the Expiration Time (and did not validly withdraw such Notes at or prior to the Expiration Time) or (ii) delivered a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery (or complied with ATOP procedures applicable to guaranteed delivery) and all other required documents at or prior to the Expiration Time and validly tendered their Notes at or prior to the Guaranteed Delivery Time pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures, and, in each case, whose Notes are accepted for purchase by the Issuer, will receive the applicable Tender Offer Consideration specified above for each $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which will be payable in cash.

In addition to the applicable Tender Offer Consideration, Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase by the Issuer will receive the accrued interest in respect of their Notes from the last interest payment date of the Notes to, but not including, the applicable Settlement Date (“Accrued Interest”). Interest on the Notes will cease to accrue on the Settlement Date for all Notes accepted in the Offers, including those tendered through the guaranteed delivery procedures.

Each of the Offers is subject to certain conditions. Subject to applicable law and limitations described in each of the Offers to Purchase, the applicable Issuer may waive any of the conditions in its sole discretion. The Issuer’s obligation to accept and pay for Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn is conditioned on the General Conditions having been satisfied.

The Issuer retained Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (“Deutsche Bank”) and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) to act as the Dealer Managers in connection with the Offers (the “Dealer Managers”). Questions regarding terms and conditions of the Offers should be directed to Deutsche Bank at 1 Columbus Circle, New York, New York 10019, Attention: Liability Management Group or at (212) 250-2955 (collect) or (866) 627-0391 (toll free); or to Morgan Stanley at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Liability Management Group or at (212) 761-1057 (collect) or (800) 624-1808 (toll free).

Global Bondholder Services Corporation was appointed as information agent and tender agent (the “Information Agent and Tender Agent”) in connection with the Offers. Questions or requests for assistance in connection with the Offers, or for additional copies of the Tender Offer Documents, may be directed to the Information Agent and Tender Agent at (212) 430-3774 for banks and brokers or (855) 654-2015 for holders (toll free), or via e-mail at contact@gbsc-usa.com. You may also contact your broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Offers. The Tender Offer Documents can be accessed at the Offer Website: https://gbsc-usa.com/registration/athene.

General

Neither this announcement nor the Offers to Purchase, or the electronic transmission thereof, as applicable, constitutes a solicitation for acceptance of the Offers. This announcement is for informational purposes only. This announcement is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell any Notes or any other securities of the Issuer, AAIA, AADE or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Each of the Offers was made solely pursuant to its respective Offer to Purchase. Neither of the Offers was made to Holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction in which the securities laws or blue sky laws require the Offers to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offers will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Issuer by the Dealer Managers or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction.

No action has been or will be taken in any jurisdiction that would permit the possession, circulation or distribution of either this announcement, the Offers to Purchase or any material relating to AAIA, AADE or the Notes in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Accordingly, neither this announcement, the Offers to Purchase nor any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the Offers may be distributed or published, in or from any such country or jurisdiction, except in compliance with any applicable rules or regulations of any such country or jurisdiction.

Persons into whose possession this announcement or the Offers to Purchase come are required by the Issuer, the Dealer Managers and the Information Agent and Tender Agent to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions.

While the Issuer is not aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the Offers is not in compliance with applicable law, if the Issuer becomes aware of any such jurisdiction, the Issuer will make a good faith effort to comply with applicable law or seek to have such law declared inapplicable to the Offers. If, after such good faith effort, the Issuer cannot comply with any such law, the Offers will not be made to (nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of) Holders residing in such jurisdiction.

Each of the Issuer, the Dealer Managers and the Information Agent and Tender Agent reserves the right, in its absolute discretion, to investigate, in relation to any tender of Notes pursuant to the Offers, whether any representation given by a Holder is correct and, if such investigation is undertaken and as a result the Issuer determines (for any reason) that such representation is not correct, such tender shall not be accepted.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains, and certain oral statements made by Athene's representatives from time to time may contain, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such statements. These statements are based on the beliefs and assumptions of Athene's management and the management of Athene's subsidiaries. Generally, forward-looking statements include actions, events, results, strategies and expectations and are often identifiable by use of the words “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “projects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “might,” "should," or “continues” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements within this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future growth prospects and financial performance. Factors that could cause actual results, events and developments to differ include, without limitation: the accuracy of Athene's assumptions and estimates; Athene's ability to maintain or improve financial strength ratings; Athene's ability to manage its business in a highly regulated industry; regulatory changes or actions; the impact of Athene's reinsurers failing to meet their assumed obligations; the impact of interest rate fluctuations; changes in the federal income tax laws and regulations; the accuracy of Athene's interpretation of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; litigation (including class action litigation), enforcement investigations or regulatory scrutiny; the performance of third parties; the loss of key personnel; telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems failures; the continued availability of capital; new accounting rules or changes to existing accounting rules; general economic conditions; Athene's ability to protect its intellectual property; the ability to maintain or obtain approval of the Delaware Department of Insurance, the Iowa Insurance Division and other regulatory authorities as required for Athene's operations; the failure to realize the expected benefits from the merger with Apollo Global Management; and other factors discussed from time to time in Athene's filings with the SEC, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, and its other SEC filings, which can be found at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements described herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results, events or developments referenced herein will occur or be realized. Athene does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results.

About Athene

Athene, through its subsidiaries, is a leading financial services company specializing in retirement services with total assets of $234.3 billion as of June 30, 2022 and operations in the United States, Bermuda, and Canada. Athene specializes in helping its customers achieve financial security and is a solutions provider to institutions. Founded in 2009, Athene is Driven to Do More for our policyholders, business partners, shareholders, and the communities in which we work and live. For more information, please visit www.athene.com.

Contacts:

Investors
Alex Pelzar
+1 917 472 4186
apelzar@apollo.com

Media Contact
Kelly Woerdehoff
+1 515 342 5144
kwoerdehoff@athene.com

FAQ

What are the results of Athene's tender offers for cash in September 2022?

Athene reported that $260.1 million of Series 2022-6 Notes and $238.1 million of Series 2020-5 Notes were validly tendered by the expiration date, September 12, 2022.

When is the settlement date for Athene's recent note offers?

The settlement date for the tender offers is expected to be September 13, 2022.

What are the interest rates for Athene's Series 2022-6 and Series 2020-5 Notes?

The Series 2022-6 Notes carry an interest rate of 3.205%, and the Series 2020-5 Notes carry an interest rate of 2.450%.

How much was Athene aiming to raise through the tender offers?

Athene aimed to raise $500 million through the Series 2022-6 Offer and $650 million through the Series 2020-5 Offer.

What does the tender offer success indicate for Athene's funding strategy?

The successful tender offers demonstrate strong market interest and may enhance Athene's financial flexibility.