US$3 BILLION SYNDICATED TERM LOAN FACILITY FOR TURKCELL
Istanbul, Turkey February 26, 2007- Turkcell (NYSE:TKC,ISE:TCELL), the leading provider of mobile communications in Turkey, announced today that it successfully closed the US$3 billion unsecured syndicated term loan facility with Akbank T.A.S., Citibank, NA., Garanti Bankası A.S., HSBC plc, J.P. Morgan plc and Standard Bank plc as Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers (“ Initial MLA’s) and underwriters. This amount is the largest unsecured syndicated loan facility closed by a single corporate ever in Turkey.
The Facility was structured as a senior unsecured term loan facility in Tranches A, B and C of US$1 billion each and with maturities of 3, 5 and 7 years respectively. Only Tranches A and B were syndicated; Tranche C was fully subscribed by Akbank T.A.S. and Garanti Bankasi A.S., and is structured as an amortising facility with commercial terms in line with those of Tranches A and B.
The Facility was signed on 26 February 2007 in Istanbul, Turkey. Citibank, N.A., HSBC Bank plc, J.P. Morgan plc and Standard Bank Plc acted as Joint Bookrunners on the Facility.
Speaking first at the signature ceremony, Turkcell CEO Süreyya Ciliv noted that Turkcell, as a communication and technology company, was going to use this loan for potential investment opportunities. He added that the loan would significantly accelerate Turkcell’s continued growth in the times ahead.
Zafer Kurtul, the General Manager of Akbank said that “Both the amount and terms of this syndication loan that Turkcell has secured are the indication of the confidence in Turkcell and our country’s economy.Turkcell has shown tremendous performance in becoming one of the biggest companies in Turkey in a short term. The facility that will be used for the finance of Turkcell’s international investment, is also a great indicator of Turkcell’s future growth intention.”
HSBC General Manager Piraye Antika said “Turkcell had displayed an extremely successful performance since establishment and has become the pride of Turkey on a global scale. She added that the broad interest shown in this loan agreement was a testimony to Turkcell’s strength and reputation in the international finance markets as well as the quality of its relations with the international banking community”. Antika concluded by thanking the initial mandated lead arrangers.
CEO of Garanti Bank, Ergun Özen stated that “As we all know, Turkcell, with its leading position in the communication sector in Turkey and the region, innovative approaches and strong financial structure is a company that the banks compete to grant credits for. We believe that this syndication loan will be used to support Turkcell in carrying out their success in Turkey and the region to the international markets.This is the largest loan that Garanti has ever provided to Turkish company till now.“
The Facility will be used for general corporate purposes of Turkcell and its consolidated subsidiaries, including potential acquisitions and strategic investments for international expansion. The Facility will be made available in US Dollars.
The bank group, a diverse selection of Turkish and international lenders, is a testimony to Turkcell’s broad appeal and evidence of continued strong demand for top quality Turkish names.
The syndicate comprises:
Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers Akbank T.A.S Citibank, N.A. Garanti Bankası A.S. HSBC Bank plc J.P. Morgan plc Standard Bank Plc
Mandated Lead Arrangers Türkiye İş Bankası A.S. Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank Türkiye Halk Bankası A.S. BayernLB KfW IPEX-Bank Bank Sinopac
Senior Lead Arrangers ABN AMRO Bank N.V. Commerzbank International S.A. Luxembourg Fortis Bank SA/NV Societe Generale Corporate & Invetsment Banking
Lead Arrangers CALYON Alpha Bank A.E. Alternatifbank A.Ş. Finansbank (Malta) Limited Arab Banking Corporation Barclays Bank PLC Credit Suisse Danske Bank A/S Dexia Credit Local, Dublin Branch EFG Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. Emirates Bank International PJSC Europe Arab Bank plc IntesaSanpaolo S.p.A. Qatar National Bank SAQ, Paris branch TSKB A.Ş., Bahrain Branch HVB Banque Luxembourg Société Anonyme Banque de Commerce et Placements Allied Irish Banks, plc The Arab Investment Company S.A.A. (OBU)
About Turkcell Turkcell is the leading GSM operator in Turkey with 31.8 million post-paid and pre-paid customers as of December 31, 2006 operating in a three player market with a market share of approximately 60% as of September 30, 2006 (Source: Telecommunication Authority). In addition to the high-quality wireless telephone services, Turkcell currently offers General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) countrywide and Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) in dense areas, which provide for both improved data and voice services. Turkcell provides roaming with 540 operators in 193 countries as of February 26, 2007. Serving a large subscriber base in Turkey with its high-quality wireless telephone network, Turkcell reported US$4,528 million net revenues as of December 31, 2005 and US$3,497million net revenue for the nine months as of September 30, 2006 as per IFRS financial statements. Turkcell has interests in international GSM operations in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Northern Cyprus and Ukraine. Turkcell has been listed on the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange) and the ISE (Istanbul Stock Exchange) since July 2000 and is the only NYSE listed company in Turkey. 51.00% of Turkcell’s share capital is held by Turkcell Holding, 7.46% by Cukurova Group, 13.07% by Sonera Holding, 5.07% by M.V. Group and 0.01% by others while the remaining 23.39% is free float.
For further information please contact: Contact:
Turkcell: Investors: Koray Ozturkler, Investor Relations Tel: +90-212-313-1500 Email: [email protected] Ferda Atabek, Investor Relations Tel: + 90-212-313-1275 Email: [email protected] [email protected]
Media: Doruk Arbay, Corporate Communications Tel: + 90-212-313-2319 Email: [email protected]