Awards

The strategic rationale behind DBS Group’s acquisition of Bowa Commercial Bank made an irresistible case. DBS was paid by the Singapore government to take the failed bank over, gaining an immediate foothold in the Taiwanese market.

Maybank’s purchase of 20% of MCB may seem ill-advised in retrospect, given Pakistan’s subsequent political and economic turmoil, but it represents a great deal for MCB. The Pakistani bank now has a relationship with an institution boasting experience in modern banking products as well as cutting edge Islamic finance tools.

Banco de Oro shone with its lower tier-two bond issue in May, demonstrating the depth of local investor demand for the right name at the right price.

Binariang GSM’s multi-tranche Islamic bond issue was the largest local currency bond from emerging Asia and involved virtually every investor in Malaysia. The deal stretched the country’s fast-growing Islamic bond market to its limits.

Shinhan became the first bank in Korea to build its own fixed-rate mortgage franchise and consequently the first bank to issue a fixed-rate RMBS. The deal enabled it to meet its business needs despite appalling credit markets.

Emirates Telecom’s opportunistic purchase of a 45% stake in Swan Telecom stood out in 2008, in what was a poor year for the country’s equity and bond markets. The deal neatly enabled it to gain instant access to the world’s second largest mobile market.

The IPO of coal firm Indika Energy in June 2008 provides a textbook example of perfect timing, with the commodity cycle still in full swing. The deal ended up 15 times oversubscribed and boasted a quality order book.

China Railway Construction Corp.’s dual Hong Kong and Shanghai IPO wowed investors back in March, and despite dramatic declines in both stock markets, its shares have held up impressively.

The US$1 billion debut bond from Hong Kong & China Gas was a major highlight in Asia’s G3 bond markets last year. Amid concern over the futures of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the borrower took advantage of a small window of opportunity and found strong investor support.

Asiamoney is pleased to announce the results of its 9th annual Headhunters Poll. Following a rigorous auditing process, Asiamoney accepted a total of 725 valid questionnaires from senior executives within Asia-Pacific’s financial services industry...

In what promises to be a tough 2009, the need for good corporate governance will only get stronger as investors grow more choosy about which companies to buy into. ASIAMONEY’s Corporate Governance Poll reveals the firms that were most highly regarded across Asia during 2008. Bernice Lam reports.

Despite being in vulnerable sectors, Sasa and Pacific Basin look well set to ride out poor economic conditions. Meanwhile the financial efficiency of HSBC and the diplomacy of its regional head Vincent Cheng make them clear stand-outs.