Hong Kong SAR

A subsidiary of Lifestyle International Holdings, which operates department stores under the Sogo brand, has launched a HK$8bn ($1bn) loan into limited syndication.

The head of equity syndicate at Citic CLSA Securities has resigned, according to people close to the move.

Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission is to have earlier and more direct inputs on listing policy matters and regulations in the city, according to a new consultation.

China’s DFZQ, also known as Orient Securities Co, has opened books on an up to HK$8.95bn ($1.16bn) IPO in Hong Kong with a whopping 17 bookrunners crammed into the syndicate.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch has rejigged its debt capital markets team in Asia Pacific, creating a new debt solutions unit.

CP Pokphand, the investment arm of Thai firm Charoen Pokphand Group, has sealed a $600m borrowing to repay a loan raised in 2012.

China Development Bank Financial Leasing Co has finalised the marketing price range for its listing, which would raise HK$7.6bn ($979.5m) at the top end, and has signed up cornerstone investors to take up nearly 80% of the float, according to a source close to the deal.

Shanghai Dazhong Public Utilities Co is looking to join the steady stream of Chinese issuers listing in Hong Kong in 2016, according to a source familiar with the matter.

In this round-up, South Korea’s RMB deposits drop to near-zero, South African rand starts direct trading with RMB, and BlackRock launches its first US-listed physical A-shares fund. Plus, a recap of GlobalRMB’s coverage this week.

China’s Orient Securities Co is planning to launch bookbuilding for its IPO on Monday and could raise about $1bn, according to sources close to the deal.

China Minsheng Bank has added a new member to its loan syndications team in Hong Kong.

The pre-summer rush for IPOs in Hong Kong is well underway with three companies starting investor education this week, even as stocks started Monday with a wobble.