Hannover Re brings new cat bond a $100m 3264 Re

Global reinsurance firm Hannover Re is back in the catastrophe bond market to source a slice of retrocessional coverage, with a $100 million or greater international multi-peril 3264 Re Ltd. (Series 2020-1) cat bond transaction.

This transaction sees Hannover Re acting as a sole ceding company and beneficiary of the protection from a catastrophe bond, although it is not clear whether a client of the reinsurer is the ultimate beneficiary at this time.

Hannover Re is a regular participant in catastrophe bonds, but in recent years this is more typically for its ceding clients, to help them access the capital market, or as a facilitator of its regular private cat bond issues.

The transaction is being issued through newly registered Bermuda special purpose insurance vehicle 3264 Re Ltd.

We understand from sources that the vehicle 3264 Re Ltd. will issue a single tranche of Series 2020-1 notes, currently sized at a $100 million issuance.

These notes will be sold to investors, with the proceeds used to collateralise the underlying retrocessional reinsurance agreement between 3264 Re Ltd. and Hannover Re itself. If the ultimate beneficiary is a client, Hannover Re would then pass on the benefits through a reinsurance agreement with it.

The agreements will cover certain losses from multiple international perils, specifically U.S. named storm risks, U.S. and Canadian earthquake risks and European windstorm risks.

The cat bond will feature weighted industry loss triggers and coverage will be on an annual aggregate basis, with PCS supplying the industry loss data for named storm, hurricane and earthquake events, and PERILS for European windstorm events.

The transaction will run for a three year term, providing Hannover Re with a source of international annual aggregate retrocession for its peak perils until the end of January 2023, we’re told.

The single $100 million tranche of 3264 Re Ltd. Series 2020-1 Class A notes are said to have an initial attachment probability of 5.46%, an initial expected loss of 4.04% at the base case and are being offered to cat bond investors with coupon price guidance in a range from 10% to 10.75%.

The multiple seems aligned with other recent retro cat bond deals, with plenty of room for investors to make their appetites known within the pricing guidance range.

This transaction will be an interesting one to watch given Hannover Re’s expertise as cat bond facilitator and in ceding its risks to capital market investors using its K-Cession sidecar.

As a result, the reinsurance company has clear visibility of market conditions and investor appetite, so it must be confident that cat bond market conditions are attractive right now, which could mean the deal upsizes if demand is found.

You can read all about this 3264 Re Ltd. (Series 2020-1) from Hannover Re in our comprehensive catastrophe bond Deal Directory and we’ll update you as any further information becomes available.