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Private debt blossomed after the last financial crisis, as European companies grew more sophisticated and sought to diversify their funding strategies away from bank loans and bond markets. But the coronavirus has highlighted its shortcomings, particularly around speed of execution. It may be hard to regain the momentum.

Thai hospitality company Minor International (Mint) used a guarantee from Bangkok Bank to issue a $300m bond this week. The deal structure, which echoes its 2018 debut bond, helped quell investor concerns about how Covid-19 has ravaged the borrower’s business. Morgan Davis reports.