Essent Group makes moves to diversify sources of capital
Essent Group Ltd, the mortgage insurer and reinsurer based in Bermuda, has closed two transactions that collectively represent access to approximately $1 billion in capital for the company.
The company said its previously disclosed public offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes closed on July 1, resulting in approximately $495.3 million of net proceeds from the offering.
The notes will pay interest semi-annually at a rate of 6.25 per cent per year and will mature on July 1, 2029.
Approximately $425 million of the net proceeds from the offering were used to repay all of the borrowings outstanding under the term loan portion of the company’s prior credit facility, with the remainder available for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Essent also announced that it has entered into a five-year, $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility effective from July 1 with a syndicate of banks. The revolving credit facility amends and replaces the company’s previous $400 million secured revolving credit facility.
“We are very pleased with our ability to further diversify our sources of capital with access to approximately $1 billion through the recent notes offering and amended credit facility,” said Mark Casale, chairman and chief executive officer.
“These actions further enhance our already strong capital and liquidity position while adding to our financial flexibility. At the same time, we continue to manage the balance sheet conservatively, and maintain the lowest debt leverage in the mortgage insurance industry.”