EFG Hermes lands first frontier markets IPO: ASA International, which bills itself as “of the world’s largest and most profitable international microfinance institutions” has announced its intention to proceed with an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange. The group, which claims a 12-country footprint spanning Africa and Asia, expects its shares to be admitted to trading on the LSE in July, it said in its intention to float. ASA bills itself as a Bangladeshi-Dutch lender. The company operates in 12 countries, with the biggest branch networks in the Philippines, Pakistan and Nigeria. The company had pre-tax profits of USD 43.3 mn last year, up 23% on the previous year. EFG Hermes is bookrunner for the transaction alongside Investec. Citigroup Global Markets are sole sponsor, sole global coordinator and joint bookrunner, while Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (acting through Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited) is acting as lead manager. You can read the intention to float here (pdf) or catch full coverage in the Financial Times.