Europe

Patrick Steeg is stepping up to be head of debt capital markets at Landesbank Baden-Württemberg, with Günter Gleumes moving to be head of corporate sales and securitisation, The Cover understands.

Pfandbriefbank der Schweizerischen Hypothekarinstitute (PSHypo) priced a three tranche Swiss franc transaction on Thursday morning. It launched a new five year line, along with re-openings of 10 and 16 year bonds. Unusually for a Pfandbriefbank trade, investors focused on the shortest of the three tranches.

Berlin Hypothekenbank (BHH) struggled to sell a €1bn mortgage Pfandbrief at its target spread after opening books at the wide end of initial price thoughts, at 1bp through mid-swaps, on Monday. The tight level surprised bankers, due to the recent decreasing bid for core names offering slim yields and even slimmer premiums.

The central banks' status as "gods" that control the global economy is fading – and nothing really is ready to replace it

The S&P 500 is expected to hit “new all-time highs” while regional stock indices are seen gaining between 10-15% this year

Cédulas have dominated covered bond issuance so far in 2013, aided by a remarkable rally that has seen nine deals printed this week. However, oversubscription rates have dwindled this week, and both core and periphery issuers may need to increase what they offer investors to get their attention in a crowded market.

Excellent funding conditions drew more covered bond issuers from core Europe to the market this week, with impressive deals done at aggressive spread levels. But bankers cautioned that new issue premiums may have to rise with juicy spreads from peripheral Europe drawing investors’ gaze.

Risks for banks linked to the eurozone are "significant;" banks in emerging markets have better prospects, according to Moody's

The primary market picked up momentum on Thursday with three benchmark deals and one benchmark sized tap being syndicated. ANZ, Bankinter, KBC and Compagnie de Financement Foncier (CFF) unearthed a over €3bn of demand.

The IMF downgraded slightly its global growth forecasts for this year and the next but said the main risks have receded

Deutsche Pfandbriefbank (Pbb) was back in more familiar territory on Wednesday as it launched its first Pfandbrief of 2013, having been busy setting up a new senior unsecured curve in recent months.

Terra BoligKreditt became the second Norwegian issuer to supply the market this year and the fifth overall to come with a 10 year or longer maturity. The long maturity, despite being more expensive than a five year, will build its curve and should attract new investors.