Citi

All eyes were on Bank of China’s landmark four-currency deal on June 24, which was divided into 10 tranches in dollars, euro, Singapore dollars and offshore renminbi (CNH). It became the first bond ever issued in support of China’s plans to extend its global influence under the "One Belt, One Road" (OBOR) policy, but its success doesn’t necessarily mean there will be more, reports Narae Kim.

China Life Insurance Company opened books on June 25 for the country’s first core tier two subordinated notes under the sector’s new regulations. The firm is launching the trade at a time when markets are still digesting news of the absence of a deal with Greece on its debt repayment.

The corporate bond market got back on its feet with vigour on Wednesday, as Capgemini in particular impressed, with a hefty size and even heftier order book for a triple tranche deal — though it had to pay a large new issue premium.

Chinese search engine Baidu raised a jumbo $1.25bn as it jumped into the short window between positive news of Greek debt negotiations and the launch of Bank of China’s mega deal this week. Baidu’s dual tranche offering crossed time zones to draw in investors from Asia, Europe and the US.

RBL Bank, formerly known as Ratnakar Bank, is looking to raise Rp15bn ($234m) in an Indian IPO, with a syndicate that is significantly larger than when the deal first came to light. The trade is slated to launch in the second half of the year.

Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) raised $500m through a 10 year bond on June 23, pulling off a big coup by not only pricing the deal tightly but also finding an opportune window to execute its trade.

Bank of China has opened books for what will be landmark deal issued in four different currencies in the same day. However, some investors decided not to jump into the deal, thinking that the issuer came out with too tight pricing from the beginning.

Bond issuers in Asia are rushing out to meet investors with Beijing Energy Investment Holding (BEIH), China Overseas Land International and Shanghai Construction Group on the road.

Details on the margin for Bank Rakyat Indonesia’s (BRI) $550m borrowing have come to light. Although at this point the loan is likely to wind up as a club, some banks are keeping the possibility of further syndication open.

National Bank of Egypt has set roadshow dates for a prospective dollar senior deal, and will be ready to launch the transaction next week.

A trio of investment grade names launched new deals on Tuesday as Asian bond bankers were bolstered by hopes that Greece's latest budget proposals would stave off a debt default and lead to a deal with creditors later this week. But they believe the market is still volatile and as a result only strong high grade names will be able to get deals done.

Citi is stepping up its focus on commercial banking clients by hiring Eric Au as director of capital markets origination, Asia Pacific, for the firm’s commercial bank.