ICBC

GF Securities has finally settled on raising HK$8bn ($1bn) from its latest syndicated loan, doubling the size of the fundraising due to robust demand.

ICBC Standard Bank has hired Vikram Khanna as head of advisory, a newly created position.

In this round-up, a third batch of free trade zones (FTZs) get set to be rolled out soon, Hong Kong RMB deposits reach a three-year low, and the RMB qualified foreign institutional investor (RQFII) scheme adds two in Singapore. Plus, a recap of GlobalRMB's stories this week.

China's GF Securities is planning to increase the size of its syndicated loan to between HK$8bn ($1bn) and HK$12bn from the HK$4bn it had originally sought.

Dollar investors are getting the chance to assess two first-time issuers, with Emperor International Holdings and Union Life Insurance hitting the road.

The World Bank broke a 30 year silence in special drawing rights (SDR) bonds with the sale of the SDR500m ($700m) three year note in China on Wednesday. While the Mulan bond is widely seen as a symbolic gesture to promote the internationalisation of the renminbi, market participants said it is more than just that in spite of the relatively narrow investor base.

The World Bank has announced the price guidance for its upcoming Mulan bond.

China Orient Asset Management Corp is set for a new five year dollar bond, opening books for the deal on Tuesday morning.

The period under review has proved one of the most trying for the region’s financial institutions as global problems combine with financial stresses in domestic markets. Amid this turmoil, the best banks have once again proved their ability to outperform. We present Asia's Best Domestic Banks.

The World Bank began meeting investors this week for a landmark bond denominated in the IMF special drawing rights (SDR), after it gaining approval from the People’s Bank of China. More issuers are lining up to sell SDR bonds, with each trade likely to have unique features.

The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (PTA) is preparing to refinance a $320m credit line and is in the process of choosing banks to lead the deal.

Home building materials maker China Lesso Group Holdings signed its syndicated loan at $600m, twice the launch size, on Thursday.