Euro

A few draft restrictions related to the eligibility of European covered bonds in the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) have been dropped by the EC suggesting the final wording, due at the end of September, will be supportive for covered bonds. In contrast, covered bonds have been left out in the final wording of US LCR regulations, in line with expectations.

ECB has announced another covered bond purchase programme starting in October 2014. The move was dismissed by bankers who said it made limited sense.

German banks and their covered bonds are unlikely to be affected by volatility in house prices according to a report published by Standard & Poor's on Wednesday. A 20% decline in prices would barely change the amount of collateral needed to get a top rating.

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank (PBB) reopened the covered bond primary market with a storm on Tuesday, printing one of the most oversubscribed German deals this year. The book featured a high proportion of international demand for a Pfandbrief, and one of the highest levels of central bank participation on record for a German deal.

Caixabank announced on Sunday that it had bought the Spanish operations of Barclays, subject to regulatory approval. The Cédulas cover pools are likely to be merged, but with the risk metrics of both being fairly similar, the rating impact should be neutral, said Credit Agricole analysts on Monday.

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank has mandated leads for a three year Pfandbrief.

The Pfandbrief market is in a state of flux with as many as five mortgage lenders looking to be sold to new owners. But the fact Düsseldorfer Hypothekenbank has managed to find a buyer, despite Fitch’s assertion earlier this week that the German mortgage bank model was under severe pressure, shows that it’s possible for such institutions to attract interesting bids.

European inflation, as well as expectations for inflation, are continuing to fall and the European Central Bank is likely to announce a quantitative easing (QE) programme in December, economists told The Cover on Thursday. With core yields set to tumble the allocation of real money demand to the periphery will accelerate and pricing of core covered bonds could become established at sub-Euribor levels, The Cover believes.

National Australia Bank (NAB) looked set to tap a deal by double the minimum it had expected at less than half the spread the deal was originally offered at only three months ago. The increase comes after draft rules suggested covered bonds issued by banks outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will be eligible for inclusion in the liquidity coverage ratio, boding well for more supply from issuers outside Europe.

RBS was unable to attract a sufficient quorum to pass a series of swap amendments to its covered bond programme.

Landesbank Hessen-Thueringen (Helaba) tapped the three year leg of its dual-tranche issue from May on Thursday morning, mirroring the syndication strategy it used to tap the deal’s seven year leg in July — aggressive pricing and doubling the size of the issue.

The value of your house is a popular subject at middle class dinner parties everywhere, but the far more important loan-to-value (LTV) ratio never comes up.