ADVISERS
For any Russian firm hopeful of raising funds in London, VTB Capital seems to be the go-to bookrunner.
The Kremlin-backed bank has been involved in a big share of Russian firms’ capital-raising efforts in the City in recent years, from property firm Etalon, mining group Polymetal and even the Russian government’s recent $7bn bond sale.
It has also worked with banking group Nomos during its recent loan deals.
But not all of the floats overseen by VTB have been a success: defence firm Russian Helicopters shelved its plans to raise up to $500m last year after a lack of demand scuppered the IPO.
The bank set up its VTB Capital unit in 2008, and the business has worked on close to 200 deals in equity and debt capital markets worldwide.
The company is this week launching a new office in New York, having gained a broker-dealer licence in September 2011.
VTB and Morgan Stanley are acting as join global co-ordinators on O1 Properties’ offering, while the two banks plus UBS are join bookrunners. UniCredit is acting as co-lead manager.