The New Finance Bank (FNB) has issued a first-ever private corporate bond on the Malawi Stock Exchange which economists say is a great milestone in expanding the financial market.
The bank seeks to raise K14 billion in three years through the corporate bond. So far K4 billion has been listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange.
Zandire Shaba, chief executive officer for NFB, said the corporate bond signifies the banks’s desire to participate in the development of the financial market in Malawi.
“If it were possible to say my speech in one sentence, I should have simply said ‘the lion roars again with majestic pride’ we are celebrating that as we continue making strides in contributing to the development of this great nation we are have been listed on the Malawi Stock Exchange, let me say it this is the first ever corporate bond listed on this exchange market,” said Shaba.
She adds, “Today we have attained another milestone considering the amount of regulatory compliance and checks that an institution has to go through to get to this point”.
NFB CEO states that the bond listing signifies our desire to participate in the development of the financial market of Malawi and subsequently have a positive impact on the day-to-day lives of Malawians.
Malawi Stock Exchange chief executive officer John Kamanga holds the view that the corporate bond provides investors with option to spread risks as well as maximize returns.
“This is great news, indeed, to us because this is the first ever private bond to be listed on the stock exchange; we believe this is just the beginning and many more corporates will emulate New Finance Bank.
He is of the view that an economy strives on the backbone of a vibrant financial market with many tradable financial instruments that provide investors with options to spread their risks as well as maximize returns.