Australia

Westpac enjoyed a strong covered comeback for a two part euro offering on Thursday and, despite concerns about the performance outlook for non-eurozone bonds, the transactions were priced with barely any concession.

The Bank of Queensland (BOQ) has published an offering circular for its newly established covered bond programme rated triple-A with Fitch and Moody’s, suggesting a roadshow could soon be announced for the first Australian conditional pass-through covered bond.

National Australia Bank is selling its private wealth business in Singapore and Hong Kong, as it looks to simplify its structure and focus on corporate and institutional banking.

Bumi Serpong Damai and ICBC Sydney jumped into the debt market on Tuesday, capitalising on the positive market sentiment following the French presidential election.

ANZ’s cash profit jumped 23% in the six months ending March 31, buoyed by the lender’s moves to restructure its business and hive off some of its retail and wealth units.

Westpac has mandated leads for a roadshow to look at issuing a senior unsecured or covered bond in euros. The tight spread between the two asset classes could restrict covered bond supply.

Citic CLSA Securities has appointed Andrew Low as global head of M&A, as Nathan McMurtray joins the firm from Deutsche Bank, according to sources familiar with the matter.

JP Morgan has given a fillip to its equities business in Australia and New Zealand, poaching three former Goldman Sachs bankers, according to a memo seen by GlobalCapital Asia.

JP Morgan has given a boost to its equities business in Australia and New Zealand with the addition of three former Goldman Sachs bankers, according to a memo seen by GlobalCapital Asia.

Law firm Clifford Chance has appointed five new partners in Asia Pacific, including one capital markets specialist, according to a Tuesday press release.

Qantas Airways has wrapped up its latest borrowing at A$900m ($676m). The Australian carrier had held roadshows in Singapore, Hong Kong and Taipei and drew a response from Chinese, Singaporean and Taiwanese banks, among others.

Deutsche Bank has appointed former Goldman Sachs banker Anthony Miller as its new chief executive for Australia and New Zealand.