Ameriabank was once again recognized as the winner in the "Best Investment Bank in Armenia" category of Global Finance magazine. Shushanik Hovsepyan, Head of the Bank's Capital Markets Department, presented details.
What indicators guide the selection of the winner in the given category?
Candidates in the "Best Investment Bank" nomination are evaluated based on a number of criteria. namely, the ability to implement investment banking transactions, market share, number and volume of executed transactions, innovative solutions used by the bank, the bank's reputation, the wide network of financial organizations cooperating with the bank, etc.
Is the quality of service also evaluated?
Yes. That is one of the key criteria. I can say that Ameriabank is the only company providing investment services in the Armenian market, which has separate specialized divisions serving clients in the directions of Capital Markets, Acquisitions and Mergers and Corporate Finance.
In your opinion, what is the first thing that distinguishes Ameriabank's investment banking direction?
With innovation and bold solutions. Ameriabank's investment banking operations team has always stood out for its unprecedented projects in the Armenian market. Ameriabank has implemented the largest deal of public placement of corporate bonds in Armenia, organized the first issues of bonds in Armenian drams for international financial institutions - IFC (International Finance Corporation) and EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development). Moreover, the IFC bond placement project is considered the first project of securities issuance and placement by a non-resident organization in Armenia. The first floating rate bond issue and placement project in Armenia for the EBRD was also implemented by Ameriabank.
I would like to note that Ameriabank, as the issuer, is the market leader in the number and volume of issued bonds. Bank issues make up 30% of the RA corporate bond market. Currently, 11 issues of Ameriabank are in circulation, the total volume of which is more than 90 million USD.
Why is cooperation with various financial institutions considered one of the most important criteria for evaluating an investment bank?
Only partnership relations formed with various financial institutions and a large base of potential investors enable the investment bank to effectively carry out its activities. Thanks to this, Ameriabank's Corporate Finance team is able to offer clients the greatest opportunities to attract investors and the most diverse structured financing solutions. Today, Ameriabank cooperates with all international financial institutions operating in the region and has attracted more than 700 million US dollars from them, both for itself and for the companies that are its clients.
The award given to Ameriabank in the "Best Investment Bank" category for the fourth year in a row by Global Finance magazine also proves that the bank provides international-class investment banking services, is ready to fully meet market demand, regardless of product and transaction complexity, and also confirms that in this direction, the bank has chosen the right strategy.