Covered Bonds

Eight years after publishing its first consultation paper the Spanish Treasury has set out its hotly anticipated draft covered bond law which market participants greeted enthusiastically, largely because it comprehensively addresses all the main features of the EU’s Covered Bond Directive. However, it contained a number of surprising and potentially contentious proposals.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce achieved a roaring success with its $2bn five year 144A deal priced on Wednesday, the first from a Canadian bank in over a year. CIBC managed to achieve a size and spread that would not have been possible in euros and showed the importance of paying attention to key currency markets outside Europe.

Credito Emiliano managed to attract a robust order book for its €750m seven year covered bond that was sold on Wednesday, following an extended marketing period that enabled price discovery. At the same time Coventry Building Society mandated leads for only the second UK covered bond in euros to be issued this year.

Following the pricing of Tuesday’s deal from the European Union, bank traders reported good profit taking in covered bonds, Laender paper and, most conspicuously the previous issue of EU bonds. Despite that, spreads were steady.

Finely tuned pricing was the order of the primary market last week, with a drop in volatility leading to a decline in average movements from initial price thoughts. But despite the VIX falling to its lowest level since February 2020, there were still signs of price sensitivity — and average new issue concessions grew in the most affected markets.

Crédit Agricole announced plans on Tuesday to market its first covered bond from its social framework in what will be a rare maturity. At the same time leads on Credito Emiliano's proposed covered bond opted to wait until the European Union prices its deal is priced before launching.

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce revealed the mandate on Monday for the first Canadian dollar covered bond of the year and the first to be issued in 144A format in over 12 months. Prospects for further issuance in the currency are promising.

National Australia Bank priced an €850m seven year Australian covered bond on Monday, comfortably inside recent deals from New Zealand and opted against issuing a larger deal size at a wider spread. At the same time, Credit Emiliano mandated leads for another euro benchmark.

GlobalCapital is preparing to launch its Covered Bond Awards for 2021 and welcomes feedback from the market around which achievements should be recognised.

National Australia Bank has mandated leads for the first Australian covered bond in euros for over two years. With redemptions outstripping supply this month, the NAB deal could be the beginning of a spurt of issuance.

Three covered bonds issued this week from Korean Housing Finance Corp, Caffil and Oberbank were well received, but they would not have made it over the line without attractive new issue concessions.

Rates markets have been well supported in the last few days, but covered bond spreads are still a little shaky with market makers waiting to see the outcome of the next deal from the EU for its €800bn Next Gen programme that is expected to emerge on Monday.