Bank of America

KommuneKredit took a novel approach to its sterling issuance on Tuesday, adding a switch operation to print its largest ever new issue in the currency. Bankers believe other issuers may use the tactic. Meanwhile, Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten (BNG) received less interest in a sterling trade of its own.

Public sector bankers lined up to laud a new SSA borrower this week, as the International Development Association (IDA) surpassed expectations on its bond debut. Now, many are eager to see the its next move, with many anticipating a Washington supranational with greater currency flexibility, writes Craig McGlashan.

After selling €4.6bn of loans in March, Unilever Spreads unveiled the €1bn high yield bond portion of its leveraged buyout funding package on Wednesday. But as well as jumbo deals, other borrowers with smaller offerings are also vying for investor attention.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on Thursday achieved what on-looking bankers called a “fantastic” result as it sold its largest ever deal and matched the lowest spread on a three year dollar benchmark of the year so far — despite tightening swap spreads.

Controls have been tightened after the high-profile losses that banks took on margin loans when retail conglomerate Steinhoff ran into trouble late last year. But strategic equity solutions businesses remain central to equity capital markets, writes David Rothnie.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Credit Suisse, Nomura and UBS have made senior changes in their equity capital markets and syndicate teams in Asia.

Bernie Mensah has been crowned president of EMEA at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, adding to his responsibilities as co-head of global FICC trading.

After several weeks of focusing on conventional bonds in core currencies, SSAs popped back into the socially responsible investments (SRI) market this week. Nederlandse Waterschapsbank (NWB) is laying the ground for an affordable housing bond in euros, while the European Investment Bank found a solid reception for a Climate Awareness Bond that came in rare seven year dollar form.

The EMEA IPO market is fully underway again after the Easter break, with bankers fresh from the Courchevel ski slopes or St Tropez sunbeds to provide investors with some fresh IPO powder. But high volumes means buyers have the ability to be selective.

Japanese telecoms group Softbank opened the week in the European high yield market with a multi-billion refinancing deal to redeem its old 2013 bonds — and delete a covenant that could get in the way of its flotation.

Consol, the glass bottle maker, moved ahead with its IPO on Monday by setting a price range. It is hoping to return to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) at a positive moment for South Africa.

After the Qatari sovereign launched its $12bn triple tranche return to the bond market last week, Mannai Corporate, a conglomerate from the country, is following it into the market this week. Mannai is looking to print a senior perpetual non-call five Reg S only dollar bond. It will be the company’s debut in the bond market.