Principality Building Society has said it will not exercise its call option to redeem its 5.375% 2016 Permanent Interest Bearing Shares (PIBS) on 8 July.

Investors holding the Welsh mutual’s PIBS due to mature in 2016 have been told that interest will be paid at 100.5 basis points over three month Libor, meaning a variable rate equivalent to 1.83 per cent at current market pricing.

PIBS are a type of bond issued by building societies and are listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange.

The issuer has no obligation to redeem them, meaning some holders will choose to sell their PIBs to another investor.

However, the news is a slap in the face to PIB holders, as their value is likely to slip on the announcement, meaning investors could lose out if they sell them on.

Principality Building Society said it had taken the decision in light of the regulatory changes affecting the amount of capital reserves it need to hold.

In its statement to the market, it clarified, ‘Once the new regulatory framework regime has been finalised, the Society will review the future exercise of its call option or other liability management options.’

However, the Principality’s difficulties during the global economic downturn are well documented, with the mutual experiencing loan impairments as a result of its buy to let mortgage and second charge lending activities.

However, in its 2010 annual report, the Society’s core tier one ratio – the measure of strongest capital held – was 11.3 per cent, which is in excess of the Basel III requirements as currently drafted.