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US sanctions on EN+ and Rusal look set to be lifted soon, but they have not been the failure that some emerging market investors claim.

The Reserve Bank of India’s recent reforms to its external commercial borrowings (ECB) policy make for a simpler and looser process for firms raising debt offshore. But the central bank has also put up new roadblocks for issuers that could drastically affect their access to capital markets.

Asia’s offshore bond market has had a strong start to the year, moving past the doom and gloom that ended 2018. But there are already signs that the difficult conditions that defined last year may only be around the corner.

In this round-up, China’s fourth quarter saw 6.4% GDP growth, Germany’s finance minister concluded a two-day visit in Beijing with 34 agreements, and cross-border payment services provider Swift took a first step to establish an onshore entity.

In this round-up, China's money supply grew 8.1% in December, USDCNH futures trading on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) jumped thanks to renminbi volatility, and FTSE Russell launched a new index series tracking Chinese green bonds.

In this round-up, Liu He will visit the US at the end of this month, Pan Gongsheng spoke at the China Bond Market International Forum and Bank of China plans to issue the first perpetual bonds in the domestic market.

Maintaining confidence in the system relies on trust that leaders — those selected for their competence and character to set the course for the rest of us — are well informed, able to communicate with others at their level and take decisions that serve the interests of those they lead.

One of my favourite parts of the winter season used to be the ski trips. Nothing beats swapping the smoggy Hong Kong winters for a cabin on one of Japan’s snow-capped mountains.

It will probably be recalled as one of the worst quarters since the financial crisis. But the market's anxieties belie an economy where the indicators still look strong.

Never mind the fact that Italian banks are unable to fund themselves economically. If a few can demonstrate access to the Obbligazioni Bancarie Garantite market, the European Central Bank’s impending third targeted long term refinancing operation (TLTRO) might look less like a bailout.

Libor is likely on the way out for sterling loans in 2021, and it is almost impossible to overestimate the deluge of facility amendments headed towards loans desks. But there is worse to come.

Ivanka Trump, a US businesswoman better known as the daughter of US president Donald Trump, is set to help out in the search for a new World Bank president. While she is probably the least qualified person ever to have assisted in the process of appointing such an important position, the tempering influence she may have on her father’s disdain for multilateralism could be a blessing — at least the best we can hope for in these politically insane times.