Banks

KfW made a simple but potentially significant step in the evolution of bond markets this week as it became the first borrower to highlight its environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings in term sheets for a bond issue, from the mandate announcement to the final pricing details. SSA bankers and issuers have applauded the move and other public sector borrowers are looking to follow, writes Burhan Khadbai.

A pair of public sector borrowers hit the dollar market this week, pulling off strong deals at three and five years. Both enjoyed a clear field as euro-based borrowers stuck to their home currency thanks to an unpalatable basis swap rate.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) focused “on price over size” but achieved both when it brought its third Sonia-linked floating rate note (FRN) to the market this week, according to one of its leads.

Rating: Baa1/A-/A+

Standard Chartered sang the praises of the Reg S only dollar market this week, after building a chunky order book behind its first tier two in the format in seven years. The deal kick-starts a busy period of capital issuance for the UK bank.

Two SSA borrowers tapped the seven year part of the euro curve this week, but came away with different results. Luxembourg received an oversubscribed book for its deal on Wednesday, while Nederlandse Waterschapsbank (NWB Bank) had to price without fully placing its €1bn trade.

The Society of London, better known as Lloyd’s of London, is marketing a US private placement (PP). The insurance organisation's debut in PPs in its 333 year history is another sign the market is attracting a wider range of UK companies than ever before.

Investors staged a protest over pricing in the non-preferred senior bond market this week, causing one transaction to fail and putting two others at risk of falling flat. Comfortable with their returns for 2019 and happy to be able to choose from a glut of new bond offerings, funds have simply been happy to divert their attention elsewhere. Tyler Davies reports.

La Banque Postale is looking to strengthen its capital position with a new additional tier one bond, beginning investor meetings on Friday. The issuer joins a growing trend towards issuers employing six month par call options in their perpetual securities.

Bovis Homes hits debt and equity markets — IAG swoops on €1bn Air Europa — Northern Irish HA sells US private placements in market first

Germany’s Daimler and the UK’s SP Transmission hit the sterling market this week, bringing deals that had to ride waves caused by European Central Bank bond buying and political upheaval in the UK.

Two ex-Citigroup debt bankers who had led MUFG’s attempt to climb up the fixed income league tables are no longer in their roles at the bank and will be leaving.