Woori Investment Securities Co., Ltd. expands large-scale IB dealmaking after capital increase, lands successive sole mandates in structured finance

[Financial News] Woori Investment Securities Co., Ltd. has been expanding its business base by leading a series of large investment banking (IB) transactions since its capital increase in May. Following acquisition and corporate finance, it is also taking on large-scale structured finance transactions as sole lead arranger, leveraging its expanded capital base to strengthen its ability to win and execute deals.
According to Woori Investment Securities Co., Ltd. on the 2nd, shortly after the capital increase, in June the company arranged 600 billion won in acquisition financing for Ulsan GPS and SK Multi-Utility. It also arranged a total of 280 billion won in financing as sole arranger in two transactions to meet funding needs arising during the business restructuring of renewable energy company SK eternix Co., Ltd.
The company also continued to provide financial support to businesses pursuing overseas ventures. It acted as sole arranger for 120 billion won in corporate financing for EcoPro’s local subsidiary in Indonesia, responding to the overseas funding needs of a company working to diversify its supply chain.
Recently, it has also been building a track record as sole lead arranger in structured finance. After completing a 150 billion won securitization of hybrid securities issued by EcoPro as sole lead arranger in September, it also secured the sole mandate for a 120 billion won securitization of hybrid securities issued by Osstem Implant. The Osstem Implant transaction is scheduled to be completed in November. The two transactions total 270 billion won.
Securitization is a structured finance technique in which investment products are created based on securities issued by a company or assets it holds, allowing it to raise funds in the market. Because the company’s funding objectives and investors’ demands must both be considered, the lead arranger needs capabilities spanning the entire transaction, including designing the financing structure and securing investors.
An industry source said, “To act as sole lead arranger for a large transaction, a company needs not only capital strength but also the ability to design a structure suited to a company’s funding needs and secure investors.” The source added, “Connecting experience gained in acquisition and corporate finance to structured finance is key to enhancing IB competitiveness.”
A Woori Investment Securities Co., Ltd. representative said, “The core of IB is to design financial structures suited to a company’s strategy and business conditions and successfully guide it through to actual fundraising.” The representative added, “We will continue to provide timely, comprehensive financial solutions for national strategic industries and innovative companies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and secondary batteries.”
[email protected] Choi Doo-seon Reporter