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Banco Popolare struggled to sell €500m of three year debt on Monday as there is no longer a natural investor base for the product. Spreads must widen or these banks will find their long term funding options limited.

Critics have raised red flags over China’s newly-mooted circuit breakers, arguing that the answer to state intervention in its stock market should not be more state intervention. The plan comes at an uneasy time, but is one that will work in China’s favour in the long run.

There ain’t no party like an easy money party ’cause nobody actually has any idea when to stop an easy money party.

It always gives great delight to be the conduit of bankers' warm sentiments for each other - particularly among the market's more outspoken protagonists - and in recent weeks the Ranger has heard some corkers.

Another batch of offshore institutions was this week approved to invest in China’s interbank bond market (CIBM), in what authorities will hope will be seen as further proof of their determination to open up the country's capital market. But to become truly diversified, the CIBM needs a lot more than mere licences.

Citi has kept the red hot Australian RMBS market going with a A$1.2bn ($860m) transaction that priced on September 11. And similar to Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s (CBA) deal this month, Citi too was able to print a much bigger deal than initially planned.

Greece’s part in the eurozone sovereign debt crisis has always been secondary to the potential for disaster in larger countries like Spain. Now the latter country could be just months away from breaking up and a huge debt shock. Why does no one care?

This week brought the first of an expected rush of loans for Middle East banks, while Iraq is seeking a bond deal. Low oil prices mean a need for capital in the region, but it is not time for international dealers and investors to stampede there just yet.

Auto finance companies are taking the Chinese ABS market by storm this year with SAIC-GMAC adding to the surging volumes with a Rmb3bn ($471m) transaction this week. Even though pricing came just slightly above the middle of guidance, bankers on the trade said it was a level the company was more than happy to take.

China has sought yet more intervention to heal its wounded stock market, with the Shanghai, Shenzhen and futures bourses mooting the idea of new circuit breakers that would suspend trading of shares altogether if certain thresholds are breached. But market watchers are divided over whether the move would be a blessing or spell more trouble, writes John Loh.

Tata Steel’s attempt to cut pricing on a $1.5bn portion of a loan completed in 2014 has met resistance from lenders, who are concerned about the outlook of the company’s sector. With the borrower also understood to be looking at tweaking covenants, the transaction is proving to be a test of client-bank relationships. Shruti Chaturvedi reports.

Since bankers first came into being, we have been trying to solve one of the most mindboggling puzzles in human history. How do you grow your business while cutting costs?