Commerzbank

Commerzbank, Jyske Bank, OP Corporate Bank and UBI Banca all issued €500m senior non-preferred bonds this week. But Jyske stood out for having inserted a call option into its transaction — an efficient move but a rare occurrence in the asset class.

The European Investment Bank printed a €3bn 10 year trade on Thursday, dragging the pricing in by 2bp during execution.

Commerzbank, Jyske Bank and UBI Banca all issued €500m senior non-preferred bonds with five year maturities on Thursday. But Jyske opted for a more flexible and efficient note, callable four years after its issuance date.

BBVA’s corporate and investment bank has appointed Roberto Vila as global head of equity. The new hire comes from Commerzbank’s equity markets and commodities (EMC) unit, which is in the process of being transferred to Société Générale.

Ford Motor Credit and Aéroports de Paris issued investment grade corporate bonds in Europe on Tuesday, while Spie joined them with an IG-style but high yield-rated deal.

Bilfinger succeeded in issuing its €250m bond on Thursday, having had to pull it in October. The German industrial services group obtained a €600m book and was able to knock 37.5bp off the yield.

KfW returned to the market on Wednesday for its second five year euro benchmark of the year. The €5bn 0% July 2024 note was issued with the lowest yield the German agency has ever paid.

The State of Schleswig-Holstein returned to the market with a 10 year note on Tuesday. Meanwhile, KfW has announced a new five year euro deal, following on from January’s record KfW book for the maturity.

Russian potash fertiliser Uralkali has signed its five year $1.45bn-equivalent loan with 13 lenders joining the syndicate. With Uralkali and Suek now signed, lenders have started to prepare for EuroChem.

Bilfinger, the German industrial services group emerging from a troubled period, is roadshowing on Monday and Tuesday for a €250m bond it pulled in October. The market conditions are not ideal but investors are engaging with the deal.

European elections, which produced relief in much of Europe and some horror in the UK, have not fazed corporate bond markets. But they may have caused this week's dearth of issuance. Illinois Tool Works' three trancher on Wednesday may be the only fruit. But investors' diaries are filling up with roadshow dates.

Spanish infrastructure and renewable energy company Acciona has returned to the Schuldschein market with a €150m-minimum triple tranche transaction. As lenders begin to loosen lines to Italy and Spain, arrangers said there may be more borrowers from those countries to come.