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Malaysia’s state owned oil and gas company Petroliam Nasional (Petronas) broke records this week when it priced the largest G3 bond from a southeast Asian corporate. Choosing aggressive pricing over a bigger size, the issuer opted to settle for raising $5bn with the four tranche deal, lower than the expected size of $6bn-$7bn, writes Narae Kim.

The race to fill the Total Loss Absorbing Capacity ratio — before the final rule has even been set — has begun, it seems.

If there was any doubt that at least top rated borrowers could bring new issue euro benchmarks with negative yields then it was firmly put to rest on Tuesday.

The European Central Bank owns 15% of eligible benchmark covered bonds since its third purchase programme (CBPP3) began. It could end up owning 40%, which could permanently disrupt the market.

The Indian budget has made a few big changes to the way real estate and infrastructure trusts will be taxed. This is positive, but the government has still failed to tackle some points that are critical to kickstart the market. If the country is serious about becoming a Reit hub, it needs to be not just clearer, but bolder.

Euro benchmarks from the Gulf are rare but this is the right time for that to change.

This year has thrown quite a few challenges the way of syndicated loans bankers, with commodity price volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty in China among the factors seen denting deal volumes in Asia ex-Japan. But bankers should not despair. Despite the depressing data, there is reason to be hopeful about the prospects for the rest of 2015.

When he’s not enjoying a Welsh win in the rugby, Loan Ranger can be found scouring for tenuous loan market allegories in foreign arthouse cinema.

Who’s up for a little Russian oil/commodity play?

North Rhine-Westphalia has become the first German state to sell a socially responsible bond, pricing its debut sustainability bond flat to its curve.

Secrecy is a natural facet of a private market like loans – but no good will come if denial continues even after deals have been signed.

I often thank my lucky stars I got out of banking when I did. Back in the day, client meetings meant extended afternoon lunches supplemented by the finest booze, on the bank’s account, of course.