Bail-in could eclipse encumbrance for senior buyers, say investors

Increasing encumbrance of balance sheets is at risk of sidelining senior unsecured investors in a default scenario, especially in the wake of the European Central Bank’s second three year long term refinancing operation (LTRO), said analysts at Barclays Capital on Thursday. Bankers said encumbrance was becoming more of an issue for investors, but some senior buyers said it would be eclipsed by incoming bail-in legislation.