17 Sep 2009

SC Finance talks to investors about downgrade

4:13 pm on 17 September 2009

South Canterbury Finance remains in talks with investors affected by the company's credit rating downgrade.

Standard and Poor's lowered the company's credit rating to BB+ last month, which entitled investors from a United States private placement in 2008 to repayment after three months.

The company says it is continuing to talk with investors about their intentions and is also in discussions with two potential new independent directors.

South Canterbury Finance stopped allotting securities under its debenture stock prospectus shortly after the downgrade, and all funds received since then have been placed in trust.

It plans to register a new debenture stock prospectus after the company's audited accounts are released later this month.

The company also intends to make an announcement about restructuring and capital-raising initiatives in coming weeks.