Norway: bonds, indices, credit ratings

The government borrows in the debt market by issuing Treasury bills and government bonds. Treasury bills have a maturity of up to one year and are issued as zero-coupon notes. Government bonds have an original maturity of more than one year, bearing a fixed-rate coupon paid once a year. All Treasury bills and government bonds are issued in NOK and are listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

The government borrowing strategy is defined at quarterly meetings with the Ministry of Finance. The final decision is made by the Ministry of Finance.

Norwegian government debt is issued by auction on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The loan volume and the loan series in which it is to be issued are announced three business days prior to the auction. Investors can purchase government securities by submitting bids to one of the banks that has entered into a primary dealer agreement with the government. The main function of primary dealers is to promote liquidity in the Norwegian government securities market by quoting bid and offer prices for each government security on the Oslo Stock Exchange.