Tuesday, June 28, 2011

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - European lenders are considering the 'first draft' of a plan put forward by French banks for a rollover of some 70 percent of the banks' holdings of Greek debt. Unveiled by French President Nicholas Sarkozy on Monday (27 June), the plan would involve private bondholders agreeing to re-invest back in Greece half the amount of their holdings as they matured, swapping the debts for new longer-dated bonds. The maturity on the new bonds remains up for discussion, with some German sources saying the suggested extension to 30 years is too long, but the aim is to partially free the country from having to repay its debts in the near term, relieving some pressure from the insolvent nation. A further 20 percent of debts coming due would be invested in triple-A bonds via a special purpose vehicle. EU nations are hoping to convince private creditors to engage in such voluntary rollovers amounting to around €30 billion, representing just under a third of the amount of a potential second bail-out of the country. The French scheme was considered alongside other options at a meeting in Rome on Monday night of some of the most powerful figures in international banking, with executives flying in to talks with eurozone and European Central Bank representatives regarding the voluntary rollover.

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