Awards

The rapid reduction in interest rates to low levels around the world poses risks, and opportunities. Institutions have increasingly been looking to hedge their rates exposures, and HSBC has been on hand to help. The bank has been voted best for interest-linked structured products in Asiamoney’s Structured Products Poll.

Having escaped the worst of the financial turmoil, BNP Paribas is voted best in Asia for credit-linked structured products, snatching top spot in Asiamoney’s Structured Products Poll category from last year’s winner Citi. Interest in simple products has gradually returned, with attractive deals to be found in dislocated credit markets.

The US bank continues to enjoy the trust of clients as it is voted the best commodities structured products house in Asia for the sixth year in a row. Respondents to the Structured Products Poll praised Citi’s execution and pricing capabilities amid a sharp reduction in risk appetite.

The Swiss bank continues to dominate the equity-linked category of Asiamoney’s Structured Products Poll, adapting to a dive in demand for complex instruments. Like its rivals it is surviving on a restricted diet of simple products such as equity-linked notes and relying on its ability to process the orders quickly.

The US bank has benefitted from shifting resources to cater to the strong demand for simpler derivatives. It takes top spot in Asiamoney’s Structured Products Poll for G3 and local currency structured products.

BNP Paribas, Citi, HSBC and UBS impress with their product platforms in a volatile marketplace, according to respondents in Asiamoney's largest ever structured products survey.

Only a short while ago, forward starts were viewed with disdain by much of the loan market — an instrument that many believed let borrowers get away with murder. But perceptions have changed as the instrument has been standardised to suit the needs of lenders as well as borrowers.

Amid volatile markets, some market stalwarts continued to impress, while other banks shot up the rankings in different product areas.

Security became the primary concern for business travelers over the past year, according to Asiamoney’s Travel Poll 2009. Amid a wave of terrorist attacks, plane accidents and riots across the region, respondents revealed their favourite hotels, airports and airlines in our largest industry insight to date. But Asia’s best-known brands will have to work even harder this year amid a bleak outlook. Bernice Lam reports.

UBS has set the standard for banking advice in Australia, and 2008 was no exception. It boasted a string of stand-out deals, including Westpac’s acquisition of St. George, Suncorp-Metway’s hybrid security issue and some rapid financing deals. Despite a less than dominant debt capital markets presence, it earns Asiamoney’s award.

Westpac reaped the benefits of a conservative lending policy, being present on many of last year's benchmark deals. It lent to firms from an array of sectors, including finance, telecoms, broadcasting as well as a metals producer. It deserves credit for supporting clients via its consistent and broad lending policy during a difficult year.

The Swiss bank topped deal tables during the past year, participating in several accelerated non-renounceable rights offers. Among its most eye-catching transactions, it arranged a follow-on for GPT that helped the property firm to fight another day. UBS earns Asiamoney's award.