Absa Capital, the investment banking division of Absa Bank Ltd, has successfully placed R462 million on behalf of Vukile Property Fund through Vukile Investment Securitisation (Pty) Ltd (VIPS).

This is the first commercial mortgage backed securitisation to be placed in 2010 - yet another signal of the revived health of the South African debt capital markets.

The VIPS securitisation was established by Absa Capital in 2005 with an inaugural issue of R770 million. R462 million of notes were due to mature on 7 November 2010. These notes have now been refinanced by the R462 million raised on 2 November 2010.

Michael Potts, FD of Vukile Property Fund, said: "We are delighted with the outcome of the refinancing of the R462 million tranche as our 'all in' cost of finance of this debt has reduced by 54 basis points or R2.5 million per annum."

Prasanna Nana, Head of the South African Debt Capital Markets team at Absa Capital, said: "This deal marks Absa Capital's fifth securitisation deal this year.

"Further we are proud of our ongoing relationship with Vukile Property Fund and its VIPS securitisation since its inception."

1.2 billion rand of bids were received during the auction which was 2.7 times oversubscribed.

Three different classes of three-year floating notes were issued, maturing on 7 November 2013, and paying interest at three month JIBAR plus 145 basis points for the class A note (Aaa.za rated);

JIBAR plus 195 basis points for the class B note (Aa1.za rated); and JIBAR plus 205 basis points for the class C note (A1.za rated).