Asean

DBS is establishing a securities business in Japan to help investors grappling with the low interest environment in the country earn better returns in the rest of Asia.

Mizuho has recently seen the departures of two bankers in its loans team in Singapore — one each from origination and distribution.

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU) has appointed Melina Concha as executive vice-president and head of global corporate banking for the Philippines as part of the Japanese firm’s strategy to deepen its presence in the region.

There was a common thread in two new proposals by Malaysian and Indian regulators to reform their respective real estate investment trust regimes. Both countries are looking to increase Reit exposure to under construction or greenfield properties — moves that could give a much-needed boost to the asset class. John Loh reports.

VPBank Finance, the consumer finance arm of state-owned Vietnam Prosperity Bank, is accessing the debt market for a $100m loan backed by accounts receivable.

Credit Suisse has made two senior appointments to its Japan’s investment banking and capital markets division, poaching from Deutsche Securities.

The Asian loans teams at three banks have seen changes recently following exits in Hong Kong and Singapore.

China Jinjiang Environment Holding Co has bagged S$184.3m ($135.8m) after wrapping up a Singapore listing, in a rare transaction from a mainland company.

The Singapore Exchange’s reputation took a beating after its longest ever trading disruption last week, although the incident had minimal impact on equity capital market desks, said bankers.

Singapore’s authorities are set to take action against multiple banks where they have discovered failings in anti-money laundering controls relating to Malaysia’s scandal-hit investment fund 1MDB.

Invitations are out for commodities trader Trafigura’s annual Asian financing, which as in the past couple of years includes a renminbi tranche.

EC World Real Estate Investment Trust has sealed its S$346.4m ($255.2m) Singapore listing after a wealth of interest from Chinese investors pushed pricing near the top of guidance, according to a source close to the IPO.