Verizon bridge-to-bond success to rub off on Asian M&A, but quick turnaround is the big challenge

US company Verizon Communication’s recent blockbuster $49bn bond to take out a bridge loan of $61bn made waves in the market, particularly as it meant the bridge had lasted little more than a week. The deal’s success is likely to encourage Asian corporates to think bigger when it comes to their acquisition targets – but the speed with which Verizon accomplished its take-out will be hard to replicate in the Asian market, writes Rashmi Kumar.