Saber Partners was the investment banker and financial advisor to the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to assist in discharging the PUCT’s legislative mandate on securitization to protect customers/ratepayers interests in the transition to a deregulated electricity market. While engaged, Saber oversaw the structuring, marketing and pricing of $6.426 billion of “Transition Bonds” authorized for the state’s three investor-owned utilities in six sequential transactions over six years. This established the template for future Texas transition bonds issued after Saber Partners contracts ended.

Client Testimonial, Public Utility Commission of Texas

The assignment included bond issues for:

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric:

* CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company, LLC (formerly Reliant Energy Transition Bond Company LLC) (PUCT Docket #21665, and
* CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company II, LLC, (PUCT Docket # 30485)

* PUCT Transcripts describing Saber Partners’ results 2005. PUCT Transcript Feb 2 2005 Docket_30485_Vol_4

American Electric Power:

* AEP Texas Central Company Transition Funding I LLC , (PUCT Docket # 21528)
* AEP Texas Transition Funding II LLC Series A, (PUCT Docket # 32475), and

Oncor Electric Delivery:

* Oncor Electric Delivery Transition Bond Company LLC Series 2003-1 and
* Oncor Electric Delivery Transition Bond Company LLC Series 2004-1.

Saber established standards for the entire state program and oversaw six consecutive bond issues for a total of $6.426 billion. This allowed the Public Utility of Commission of Texas to oversee future bond issues independently although different Commissioners have different priorities balancing customer costs and shareholder returns.

Saber, at the direction of the Commission, was a joint decision-maker with each of the utilities on all aspects of the capital raising venture, an unprecedented role for a financial advisor. The assignment included ensuring that the companies comply with PUCT financing orders and that the structuring and pricing of the bonds achieve the lowest cost of funds at the time of pricing while promoting the competitive market for electricity in Texas. Saber has also created and advised on an extensive investor and financial analyst education program concerning the regulatory environment in Texas.

* Evaluation of Saber Partners, LLC efforts from Independent Third Parties.
Citigroup Study Email Demonstating Saber Savings in Texas ROC Bonds

Wood-Perlman-Klein Reference Letter for Saber Partners-Fichera

* Barclays Analysis PSEG RRBs versus Texas RRBS – Saber Results Confirmed