Greek lender National Bank of Greece (NBG) has just launched the sale of a new property-backed non-performing loan portfolio known as Project Icon.
The lender, which is being advised by Morgan Stanley on the process, is understood to have sent NDAs to selected investors a few days ago, with the aim to receive non-binding offers by October 10. Binding bids are expected for mid-December.
The portfolio includes a total of 7,300 loans to 1,500 SMEs and Micro enterprises with a principal of €1.5 bn, including €1 bn borrowed by 137 SMEs and the balance by micro enterprises. The loans are secured against 6,000 property assets valued at €1.1 bn, mostly consisting of commercial real estate (€800 mln).
55% of borrowers have ceased operations. NBG’s total exposure amounts to a total of €2.5 bn.
Earlier this year NBG closed the sale of Project Symbol to a consortium comprising Centerbridge Partners and Elliott Advisors. The sale involves around 13,000 SME loans with a face value of €1.6 bn and secured against 7,900 assets - largely commercial properties with a value of around €700 mln, as well as some €400 mln of residential assets and plots of land. This very granular portfolio is believed to have traded for €250 mln, or about 26% of the nominal value.
