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Eurostar, the company which runs trains through the Channel Tunnel between London and Europe, is angling for a UK government-backed bailout loan. It is a ruse that can most generously be described as cheeky. If the company really needs cash to survive, there are many more appropriate ways of raising it in the capital markets.

The ECB's attempts to curb leveraged lending are damaging, inconsistent, and come at exactly the wrong time

The damage caused by hurricanes Eta and Iota, which slammed into the Central American states at the end of November, caused widespread damage and further misery to millions in countries that were already suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bankers have not struggled when helping European governments sell debt lately. So it was a surprise to see a kerfuffle in this corner of the market last week, particularly as the deal in question was so well bid.

In this round-up, China’s coronavirus-hit economy grows 2.3% year-on-year in 2020, the securities regulator plans to introduce more bans on those who break rules in the onshore capital markets, and the vice central bank governor says Ant Group will give a timetable for the shakeup of its businesses.

This week in Keeping Tabs: a key weekend for Germany's future, and Biden's stimulus plan.

In this round-up, the US adds Chinese technology giant Xiaomi Corp and oil major Cnooc to its blacklists, and Beijing announces measures to monitor consumer finance companies and insurance asset managers.

Social bonds have long been the poor cousin of green bonds. A smaller, less well organised market.

This week’s burst of covered bonds was exceptionally well received and boosted supply hopes. But even though the funding was cheap and deal execution certain, the supply outlook remains grim.

Few deals have ever had €75bn of orders. Spain managed to lose that much, but still have €55bn remaining in the book. This is the world the ECB’s purchase programmes have built.

The response of people to the coronavirus has been nothing short of inspiring. Not least bankers' creative solutions to carry on drinking. Taipan considers the best —and worst — options.

With Asia’s sustainability-linked bond (SLB) market thrown wide open with the first transaction, there is a case to be made for the opportunities offered to both issuers and investors by this nascent asset class.