France

CM CIC yesterday priced the first French covered bond to extend beyond the well populated 10-year part of the curve, issuing a Eu1bn 12-year. The 4.125% due 16 January 2023 was jointly led by Barclays Capital, Deutsche Bank and HSBC.

The primary covered bond market continues to power ahead with four transactions currently being marketed. LBBW, Dexia Kommunalbank, NordLB and CM CIC are in the market with three, five, 10 and 12-year covered bonds respectively.

Caisse de Refinancement de l’Habitat became the fifth French issuer of the new year to price a benchmark covered bond yesterday (Thursday), having originally planned to print next week according to a syndicate official at one of the leads.

The covered bond market has experienced its busiest ever week with as many as 15 deals pricing, giving a grand total of about Eu19bn over the holiday shortened week.

Compagnie de Financement Foncier yesterday (Wednesday) priced a Eu1bn five year obligations foncières issue at 57bp over mid-swaps, in line with guidance of the high 50s over area, via leads Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Natixis.

The iTraxx senior financials is trading wider ahead of the release of the EC’s latest draft consultation paper, which is likely to confirm suspicions that an EU wide initiative on bank bail-ins is going to be hard-coded into regulation.

GCE Covered Bonds has closed books on a Eu1.25b four year transaction, which leads Crédit Agricole, ING, Natixis and UniCredit priced at 60bp over mid-swaps, the middle of guidance.

Crédit Agricole yesterday (Wednesday) priced a Eu1.5bn 10-year covered bond at the tight end of initial guidance at mid swaps 73bp via leads Crédit Agricole, Deutsche Bank, ING, Natixis and Santander.

BNP Paribas home loan bank attracted over 100 accounts to participate in a Eu1.75bn 10 year issue yesterday (Tuesday), which leads BNP, Natixis, RBS and UniCredit priced at 65bp over mid swaps.

Primary issuance continues to power ahead with five deals pricing yesterday and a further five deals expected to price this afternoon. Several more have been announced but, in a possible sign of things to come, two have been postponed and there is speculation that another is struggling.

After a very quiet December, market participants are not surprised to see a strong start to the primary market in the New Year, with one deal already priced and as many as seven others on the way.

CIF Euromortgage sold a Eu250m increase of an outstanding Eu700m June 2020 issue today (Monday), which leads BNP Paribas, HSBC and Natixis will price at 65bp over mid swaps the middle of guidance according to a syndicate official involved in the transaction.