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Dividend Payments for the Finance Corporation of the Bahamas

finco

— NOTICE —

The Board of Directors of Finance Corporation of Bahamas Limited hereby notifies its Shareholders that a dividend payment of five cents (5 cents) per Ordinary share in respect of Q4 2017 results and a special dividend payment of ten cents (10 cents) per Ordinary Share will be paid on 29th January 2018 to all Shareholders of record as at 22nd January 2018.

Update to ICDU Shareholders Closing of ICDU transaction delayed pending government final consideration

Earlier in December, Emera Utilities Holdings Ltd. (EUHL) and ICD Utilities Limited (ICDU) advised shareholders of a delay in the closing of the transaction for EUHL to acquire all outstanding shares of ICDU that it does not own. The transaction previously received the approval of over 96% of votes cast by minority shareholders of ICDU (excluding EUHL) at ICDU’s shareholders meeting.

The government of The Bahamas has confirmed that EUHL and ICDU have met all requirements under company law to complete the transaction, but has indicated that the government’s final consideration is ongoing. The government has requested that the transaction not be closed while they have the matter under consideration, and advised that this process will be completed as soon as possible in early 2018 and in any event no later than the end of January 2018.

On this basis, EUHL and ICDU remain committed to closing the transaction as soon as possible and will advise shareholders when the transaction is completed. We thank shareholders for their patience as government completes its process.

Any questions or requests for assistance in connection with the transaction may be directed to the Bahamas Central Securities Depository Limited by mail at British Colonial Hilton, Fort Nassau Centre, 2nd Floor, Suite 202, West Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas, by email at info@bahamascsd.com or by telephone at 242.233.5522 or 242.322.5523.

Emera Inc. Announces Transaction to Acquire All Remaining Outstanding Shares of ICD Utilities Limited

ICD UTILITIES LIMITED

emera_logo

Transaction simplifies the ownership structure of Grand Bahama Power Company Limited

 

  • ICD Utilities Limited (“ICDU”) has entered into a definitive agreement with Emera Utilities Holdings Ltd. (“EUHL”), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Emera Incorporated (“Emera”) which currently indirectly owns a 60.74% controlling interest in ICDU, pursuant to which Emera would indirectly acquire all of the common shares of ICDU that it does not own (the “Transaction”).
  • ICDU controls 50% of Grand Bahama Power Company Limited, a vertically-integrated utility and the sole provider of electricity on Grand Bahama Island in The Bahamas with approximately CAD $0.4 billion of assets.
  • All of Emera’s Caribbean interests, including Grand Bahama Power Company Limited, are held through its indirect, wholly owned subsidiary, Emera (Caribbean) Incorporated.
  • Minority shareholders in ICDU would receive BSD$8.85 per share representing a 26% premium to the current share price and a 33% premium over the 24-month volume-weighted average share price, for total consideration of approximately BSD$34,745,834; valuing ICDU at BSD$88,500,000.
  • Shareholders can elect to receive BSD$8.85 in cash or 0.913 Emera depositary receipts (“DRs”) per ICDU share. Each DR initially represents an interest in one quarter of an Emera common share. An application has been filed to list the DRs on The Bahamas International Securities Exchange. DRs give Bahamians the ability to invest in the growth and success of Emera.
  • The Transaction was unanimously recommended by the ICDU independent directors.
  • No changes are planned to the management teams or operations at Grand Bahama Power Company Limited.
  • Shareholders’ Forums hosted by senior executives of Emera and ICDU will be held at the Pelican Bay Resort in Freeport at 5:30 pm on October 23, 2017 and at the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau at Noon on October 24, 2017.

Freeport, Grand Bahama, October 13, 2017 – Emera Incorporated (“Emera”) and ICD Utilities Limited (“ICDU”) today announced that ICDU has entered into a definitive agreement with Emera and Emera Utilities Holdings Ltd. (“EUHL”), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Emera which currently owns a 60.74% controlling interest in ICDU, pursuant to which Emera would indirectly acquire all of the common shares of ICDU that it does not own (the “Transaction”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, which has been unanimously recommended by the ICDU independent directors, ICDU shareholders can elect to receive BSD$8.85 in cash per common share or 0.913 depositary receipts representing common shares in Emera (“DRs”) or a combination of cash and DRs. Any shareholder which does not validly elect will be deemed to have elected to receive DRs. Each DR will initially represent one quarter of an Emera common share. The Transaction represents a 26% premium to the price that the ICDU shares last traded on The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (“BISX”) and a 33% premium over the 24-month volume-weighted average share price for total consideration of approximately BSD$34,745,834 and valuing ICDU at BSD$88,500,000.

DRs are not being offered to any shareholder in the United States. Each shareholder in the United States would receive BSD$8.85 in cash for each ICDU share being acquired.

A special committee of the board of directors of ICDU, comprised entirely of independent directors, was created to consider the Transaction. The special committee sought a fairness opinion from KPMG Advisory Services Ltd. which determined that, as of October 12, 2017, subject to the assumptions and restrictions noted in the fairness opinion, the Transaction is fair, from a financial perspective, to the shareholders of ICDU.

“Emera is pleased to continue its investment in the region through this transaction,” said Scott Balfour, Chair, ICDU Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer, Emera Incorporated. “Through this transaction, former ICDU shareholders will be able to continue to invest in Grand Bahama Power Company indirectly while also benefiting from the flexibility, diversity and liquidity offered by the growth and success of Emera.”

ICDU controls 50% of Grand Bahama Power Company Limited (“GBPC”), a vertically-integrated utility and the sole provider of electricity on Grand Bahama Island in The Bahamas with approximately CAD $0.4 billion of assets.

All of Emera’s Caribbean interests, including GBPC, are held through its indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary, Emera (Caribbean) Incorporated (“ECI”).

The Transaction will not change how GBPC will be managed by ECI. GBPC will continue to operate under the scrutiny of its regulators.

The implementation of the Transaction will be subject to approval by the holders of the ICDU shares at an annual and special meeting to be held at the Pelican Bay Resort in Freeport, Grand Bahama on November 8, 2017 commencing at 5:00 pm EST. The Transaction will be subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast by shareholders other than EUHL in addition to approval by 75% of the total holders of ICDU shares including EUHL. The Transaction also will be subject to applicable regulatory approvals and certain closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature.

Emera has applied to list the DRs on the BISX, and the issuance of the common shares of Emera underlying the DRs has been conditionally approved by the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”). The Bahamas Investment Authority has approved the Transaction, the Securities Commission of The Bahamas has issued a letter of non-objection to the Transaction and the Central Bank of The Bahamas has approved the Transaction in principle.

The terms and conditions of the Transaction will be disclosed in a proxy statement that will be posted on the BISX website at bisxbahamas.com on or about October 16, 2017. The proxy statement will also be mailed to the shareholders of ICDU. It is anticipated that the Transaction, if successful, will be completed in December of 2017.

The Emera DRs will give Bahamians the ability to invest in Emera, a growing North American energy company. The trading value of the DRs is expected to mirror the trading price of Emera common shares on the TSX, and DR holders will receive dividends paid on Emera shares. DR holders will also receive disclosure materials that Emera shareholders are entitled to receive, including detailed Emera operational and financial reporting, and will have rights to vote on shareholder matters.

Shareholders’ Forums hosted by senior executives of Emera and ICDU will be held at the Pelican Bay Resort in Freeport at 5:30 pm EST on October 23, 2017 and at the British Colonial Hilton in Nassau at 12:00 pm EST on October 24, 2017. All shareholders of ICDU are invited to attend.

The period for electing to receive cash pursuant to the transaction will expire on November 27, 2017 and shareholders will need to submit their validly completed election notice no later than 5pm EST on that date. Shareholders who do not submit a validly completed election notice by that time will be deemed to have elected to receive Emera DRs.

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. By its nature, forward-looking information requires Emera and ICDU to make assumptions and is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements reflect Emera and ICDU management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to Emera and ICDU management. There is a risk that predictions, forecasts, conclusions and projections that constitute forward-looking information will not prove to be accurate, that Emera and ICDU’s assumptions may not be correct and that actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking information. Additional detailed information about these assumptions, risks and uncertainties is included in the securities regulatory filings of Emera and ICDU which, for Emera, can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, and for ICDU, can be found at www.bisxbahamas.com and will be included in the proxy statement of ICDU under the headings “Forward Looking Information” and “Risk Factors”.

About ICD Utilities Limited

ICD Utilities Limited controls 50% of Grand Bahama Power Company Limited, a vertically-integrated utility and the sole provider of electricity on Grand Bahama Island in The Bahamas with approximately CAD $0.4 billion of assets. GBPC serves approximately 19,000 customers, has a workforce of approximately 185 employees and is regulated by The Grand Bahama Port Authority (“GBPA”). The GBPA has granted GBPC a licensed, regulated and exclusive franchise to generate, transmit and distribute electricity on the island until 2054. GBPC’s approved regulated return on rate base is currently 8.8%. A fuel pass-through mechanism provides the opportunity to recover fuel costs in a timely manner.

About Emera (Caribbean) Incorporated

Emera (Caribbean) Incorporated (“ECI”) is an energy and services company based in Barbados, West Indies. The Company’s holdings include The Barbados Light & Power Co. Ltd. (wholly owned); Emera Caribbean Renewables Limited (wholly owned); a 51.91% interest in Dominica Electricity Services Limited; and a 19.1% interest in St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited. In alignment with Emera, ECI’s purpose is to meet the energy needs of its customers today, and provide solutions to power a sustainable future. ECI operates on a foundation of operational and service excellence that focuses on safety and health, stakeholder relationships, and investment in its people. Additional information can be accessed at www.emeracaribbean.com.

About Emera Incorporated

Emera Incorporated is a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia with approximately CAD$29 billion in assets and 2016 revenues of more than CAD$4 billion. The company invests in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, gas transmission and distribution, and utility energy services with a strategic focus on transformation from high carbon to low carbon energy sources. Emera has investments throughout North America, and in four Caribbean countries. Emera continues to target having 75-85% of its adjusted earnings come from rate-regulated businesses. Emera’s common and preferred shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and trade respectively under the symbol EMA, EMA.PR.A, EMA.PR.B, EMA.PR.C, EMA.PR.E, and EMA.PR.F. Depositary receipts representing common shares of Emera are listed on the Barbados Stock Exchange under the symbol EMABDR. Additional Information can be accessed at www.emera.com or at www.sedar.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information, please contact:

Shareholders looking for further information regarding the Transaction, please contact:

Anthony Ferguson or Nicolas Higgs

Colina Financial Advisors Limited

3rd Floor, 308 East Bay Street

Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas

242-502-7010

 

Investor Relations:

Ken McOnie, 902-428-6945 Kenneth.McOnie@emera.com

 

Media:

For Emera:

Kathy Purcell, 902-425-8621

kathy.purcell@emera.com

 

For Emera (Caribbean) Inc.:

Nichole Stuart, 246‐836‐5531

nichole.stuart@emeracaribbean.com

 

For ICD Utilities Limited:

Cleopatra Russell, 242-350-8904

cleopatra.russell@gb-power.com

BCSD and BISX Paid A Joint Courtesy Call To Minister Of Finance

bcsd-and-bisx-paid-a-joint-courtesy-call

Pictured from left to right, Alson Ferguson Assistant Manager BCSD; Melissa Campbell Assistant Manager BCSD; Nerika Burrows President BCSD; Craig Tony Gomez, Chairman BCSD; Honorable K. Peter Turnquest, DPM and Minister of Finance; Keith Davies, CEO BISX; Holland Grant, COO BISX and Nicholas Rees, Financial Consultant, BISX and BCSD.

The Bahamas Central Securities Depository (BCSD) and The Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) on Thursday 27 July 2017 paid a joint courtesy call on the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honorable K. Peter Turnquest. During the courtesy call, the representatives from both organizations took the opportunity to discuss matters related to the Bahamian Capital Markets.

Craig Tony Gomez, Chairman of BCSD noted: “we were grateful to Minister Turnquest for his kind consideration in allowing us to meet with him, to speak on matters of mutual interest, focusing on the influence that the Government has, directly and indirectly on our capital markets.”

Nerika Burrows, President of BCSD added: “we were able to update Minister Turnquest on the activities of BCSD as it relates to our operations, international affiliations and technological improvements. BCSD currently serves as the Registrar and Transfer Agent (RTA) for the majority of public companies in The Bahamas as well as Payment Agent for some tranches of Government Debt, and so it is crucial that the Government understands our operations in its entirety.”

Minister Turnquest was joined by Mr. Simon Wilson, Financial Secretary. The BCSD delegation was led by Mr. Gomez, Ms. Burrows, Mrs. Melissa Campbell and Mr. Alson Ferguson BCSD Assistant Managers. BISX was represented by Mr. Keith Davies, BISX CEO, Mr. Holland Grant, BISX COO and Mr. Nicholas Rees, Financial Consultant to BISX and BCSD.

Mr. Keith Davies BISX CEO noted: “Governments and capital markets influence each other greatly through regulation, ease of raising funds and general investor confidence. I was grateful to Minister Turnquest for meeting with BISX and BCSD as our organizations jointly are part of the larger system upon which the Bahamian capital markets operate. I welcomed the opportunity to speak about those areas where the Government can assist the Exchange, and those areas where the Exchange can assist the Government, particularly with the listing and trading of Government securities and the Government’s future privatization plans. I look forward to more constructive discussions in the future.”