Poland

Corporate borrowing activity is expected to be sustained throughout the second half of the year as borrowers "take advantage" of the liquidity in the loan market. The expectation comes in the aftermath of two large dividend recapitalisation transactions by Polish corporates, Allegro and Żabka, in the second quarter.

Polish convenience store operator Żabka Polska is expected to close its dividend recap imminently, according to market participants. Bankers have compared the deal to the dividend recap transaction that Polish e-commerce platform Allegro completed in May.

Żabka Polska, an operator of Polish convenience stores, has launched a syndicated loan to fund a dividend recapitalisation, according to bankers. The transaction is following closely in the footsteps of fellow Polish corporate, Allegro, that closed a Z2bn (€470m) dividend recap in May.

PKO Bank Hipoteczny issued its debut green covered bond on Wednesday, the first deal of its type from Poland. This deal is the ninth covered bond with an environmental and social governance (ESG) purpose to have been launched this year and, according to Commerzbank research.

Poland e-commerce platform Allegro has completed its Z2bn dividend recap refinancing, receiving healthy oversubscription with the participation of local lenders. But some in the market said that co-operation between international and local lenders in Poland has not been all sunshine and rainbows.

Polish e-commerce platform Allegro is set to close a Z2bn (€470m) dividend recapitalisation deal this week after heavy oversubscription, according to bankers.

PKO Bank Hipoteczny has published its green covered bond framework which complies with the International Capital Market Association’s Green Bond Principles, the Climate Bonds Initiative’s standard for residential buildings and has a second party opinion from sustainability rating agency, Sustainalytics.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has moved its new Climate Awareness Bond (CAB) documentation beyond the eurozone with the sale of a Polish zloty bond to a single Japanese investor.

Allegro, the Polish e-commerce platform, is raising Z2bn (€470m) in a dividend recapitalisation, according to bankers. The deal, one of the biggest CEE loans in this year’s pipeline, is being led by three local and international lenders, although some market participants said the Polish banks would be capable of providing all the money.

EPP NV, a Polish firm that owns malls and office buildings, raised over €90m of equity capital in Johannesburg on Wednesday last week.

Globalworth Real Estate, the London-listed real estate investment trust focused on Romania and Poland, has completed the sale of up to €500m of fresh equity to finance its pipeline of investment opportunities.

Poland has released a draft capital markets development strategy, that aims to improve corporate governance, including at state-controlled firms, and foster a savings culture.