Europe

Central bank independence has long been one of the sacred cows of western financial policy, but the rise of populist politicians is increasing the possibility that it might be on the way to the abattoir.

Bankia on Tuesday decided to sell its first senior non-preferred bond after the whole market rallied about 5bp as a result of a speech from Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank, on Monday. The issuance attracted a hefty book of €3.7bn, more than seven times its pre-determined size of €500m.

Infineon Technologies, the German semiconductor maker, has raised €1.54bn of fresh equity to finance its takeover of Cypress Semiconductor, an American rival, via an accelerated bookbuild.

Primary Health Properties, the UK real estate investment trust focused on healthcare facilities, plans to raise £150m by selling a new convertible bond due in 2025.

The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) has said it is focusing on selling a three year bond this week.

Giovanni Tria, Italy’s minister of economy and finance, rebuffed the chances of a controversial ‘Mini BOT’ financial instrument coming into effect, as he gave a keynote address at the start of Euromoney's Global Borrowers and Bond Investors Forum in London on Tuesday.

ABN Amro has appointed an ex-Barclays banker as its new head of UK FIG DCM.

One of Deutsche Bank’s most senior equity capital markets bankers has resigned after nearly 15 years at the bank to join a rival. The move comes amid reports that Deutsche Bank is preparing to make deep cuts to its equities trading business outside of continental Europe.

FRANKFURT PRIVATE DEBT ROUNDTABLE The Schuldschein market has kept up its momentum across Europe and elsewhere, but two regions have been curiously quiet. Iberia and Italy have implied investment grade borrowers well suited to the market, yet only a few have been tempted to use it. Are there barriers to entry and how can they be overcome?

Europe’s private debt markets are progressing admirably. More and more companies are issuing, or at least aware of the possibility — and they have a varied choice of markets. Players in the Schuldschein and US PP markets are confident and looking ahead to new opportunities, as the products grow in geographical reach, asset class and technique. As Jon Hay reports, there’s just one snag — the credit cycle is nearing its end.

Flushed with years of popularity in Germany and its neighbouring countries, Schuldschein arrangers have begun to look across the globe for new borrowers to tempt to the market. This year has brought the first transaction from India, and many say Reliance Industries’ success may spur more non-European entities to target the Schuldschein investors. Silas Brown reports.

VIENNA PRIVATE DEBT ROUNDTABLE The Schuldschein market is widening its circle of issuers and investors. It is now a natural choice for Austrian companies wanting to complement bank funding, but not necessarily big enough to issue public bonds.