Europe

The quiet period for FIG ended this week with a handful of deals emerging in the covered bond and senior unsecured markets. And in contrast to several tightly priced core European deals seen earlier this year, in which investors had pushed back on terms seen as too aggressive, bankers are now reporting a shift in sentiment.

Two leading covered bond investors based in Germany have told The Cover why they are investing, despite record low yields, and what strategic shifts they are pursuing.

Bayerische Landesbank sold a smoothly executed €500m 10 year transaction on Thursday, with cash rich investors willing to compromise on tight spreads and low coupons. But peripheral issuers could soon offer them juicer yields, said bankers.

Münchener Hypothekenbank (MuHyp) closed another successful euro benchmark this week and could visit the dollar market later in the year. But it also has its sights on the sterling market, where investors have become increasingly receptive to the tight spreads German borrowers offer.

Germany’s Münchener Hypothekenbank received €900m in orders for an eight year mortgage Pfandbrief on Wednesday, despite pricing it tighter than the Austrian sovereign’s 10 year issue on the same day.

Neil Sankoff, head of senior funding, in HSBC's global balance sheet management division, has spoken to The Cover about Tuesday’s €1.25bn 10.5 year Obligation à l'Habitat and the bank’s global funding strategy. With no formal marketing, the deal was all about timing, he said.

BNP Paribas has jumped in with a €1bn seven year French covered bond, following the excellent reception for HSBC France’s Obligation à l'Habitat and Münchener Hypothekenbank's Pfandbrief.

Persistent interest from domestic investors prompted HSH Nordbank to increase a recent €500m public sector backed bond by €250m.

Lending by banks to emerging markets fell sharply last year; Western banks continue to deleverage, a private debt fund manager said

Germany’s Sparkasse KölnBonn is preparing to return to the covered bond market with its first benchmark transaction in five years.

Leaders in European organizations need to stop managing people like they did during the crisis or risk de-motivating their staff, an expert says

Moody’s published a presale rating report for Vorarlberger Landes-und Hypothekenbank on Thursday ahead of a roadshow that is scheduled to take place next week. It suggests that the collateral is mediocre relative to its Austrian peers but research analysts point out that Hypo Vorarlberg has a solid business model and ownership structure.