Americas

Bond market participants said that Argentina’s decision to postpone the payments of some short-term Treasury bills and “re-profile” the rest of its debt was unlikely to provide a sustainable solution to the country’s financial woes.

Adrian Neuhauser, the new chief financial officer of Avianca, said on Thursday that he thought a “very high percentage” of bondholders would participate in a bond exchange that could unlock up to $250m of financing from United Airlines and shareholder Kingsland Holdings.

Three Latin American borrowers are meeting investors in advance of likely bond deals as primary market activity in the region looks set to pick up after a quiet August.

European and US banks are facing pressure to become more diverse, for reasons of business and ethics. One senior investment banker at UniCredit, which has implemented a far-reaching initiative in the area, said that the logic is clear.

Europe’s corporate bond market has made a remarkably strong start to the autumn issuing season, with €14bn of euro and sterling issuance in the first two open days for issuance (Tuesday and Wednesday) and another €1.5bn on Thursday.

US corporate bond desks are braced for the busiest month of the year when September supply kicks off after the Labor Day holiday on September 2, but negative rates in Europe have raised the prospect of US companies shunning the dollar market.

Lenders unconcerned as recession portents mount — Booking Holdings gets global group for revolver — Pemberton raises €3.2bn more for Europe’s mid-market — Eurotorg re-enters rouble debt market

After a bruising 12 months, Germany’s oldest bank Berenberg remains committed to a patient development of its corporate finance business, Dave Mortlock, global head of investment banking, tells David Rothnie.

UBS replaces EMEA president — Lloyds loses PP agent — Deutsche Bank reorganises treasury team

The onshore renminbi plunged to 7.17 against the dollar by noon on Thursday from the previous week’s close at 7.07. While much of the loss was a result of a spike in tensions between the US and China, analysts and bankers are also blaming the mainland’s looser FX intervention policies and growing distrust of US president Donald Trump’s comments. Rebecca Feng reports.

BBVA’s Mexican arm will look to sell Basel III-compliant tier two debt to fund a buy-back of old style subordinated bonds after launching a tender offer on Wednesday.

After three further days of turmoil for Argentine bonds this week, finance minister Hernán Lacunza said after Wednesday’s market close that the government would ask bondholders to voluntarily extend debt maturities in an effort to dissipate concerns over a possible default.