Asia Pacific

China’s cross-border interbank payment system (CIPS), launched on October 8, is revolutionising the way payments are made and received in RMB across the globe. The system is just in its first phase, but as it expands its reach, the role of offshore RMB clearing banks will be called into question.

Hsin Chong Construction Group has ended the two-month lull in the equity-linked market with a $100m convertible bond led by China Merchants Securities, marking the bank’s first solo mandate for a deal in this asset class.

ICBCIL Finance has made its debut in the 144A format with a triple-tranche dollar offering, meeting its objectives on both pricing and diversification.

Japan's economy may not be the envy of the world, but its banking sector is on the up. While European banks are pulling in their horns, especially in Asia and the US, Japanese institutions are expanding. Nobuhide Hayashi, president and chief executive of Mizuho Bank, talked to GlobalCapital's Toby Fildes in Tokyo about the bank's determination to globalise its management style — and also about whether Abenomics can scrape Japanese growth off the floor, the worrying situation in China and the danger of procyclicality in regulation.

China Life Insurance could soon be making another appearance in the international bond market, having obtained board approval for raising up to $3bn.

Just four months after its inaugural covered bond, Singaporean lender DBS is once again looking to venture into the market, mandating four banks to run a series of investor meetings. But rather than targeting the same investor base, the issuer has set its sights on a sterling-denominated trade.

Dali Foods Group Company has provided a burst of excitement to the Hong Kong IPO market, launching a HK$10.4bn ($1.34bn) listing that could become the biggest float by a privately-owned company in the city this year. Bankers are touting it as the first deal in a long time to conduct a real institutional bookbuilding, and it is also offering some diversification to investors.

China Universal Leasing, which is seeking to change the benchmark of an offshore renminbi borrowing, is now simultaneously looking for a new Rmb800m ($126m) onshore loan.

Avicem HK, a subsidiary of Shenzhen-listed Avic Electromechanical Systems Co, has wound up a €350m ($384.6m) loan with a group of four banks.

AerCap Holdings, one of the largest aircraft leasing companies in the world, has approached the Asian loan market for a $300m refinancing, having met lenders in Taipei in May.

The Privatisation Commission of Pakistan has issued a request for proposals to firms to help lead a sell-down in State Life Insurance Corp (SLIC).

Shandong Gold Group launched a capped $300m trade on November 4, the first time it is venturing into the international bond market for funding.