ING

European banks are steering well clear of new issue markets during the coronavirus pandemic, avoiding having to call on investors for funding by taking advantage of attractive central bank funding schemes.

Aareal Bank has become the latest European financial institution to extend the life of an additional tier one instrument, as turbulent market conditions make it harder for banks to decide how to manage their capital structures.

Siberian Coal Energy Co (Suek) is seeking financing from lenders, according to two market sources. The borrower is braving lenders' wariness about coal companies, which last year weighed on demand for a Suek loan, and the global volatility caused by the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Germany's Covestro and the UK's 3i have both signed new revolving credit facilities with terms that were agreed before the Covid-19 pandemic sent markets plunging, but lenders said that new deals will have far higher margins.

ING Groep said on Monday that it would redeem a pair of perpetual capital instruments, including an additional tier one bond, after deciding the move would be in its economic interest.

This week, it was the best of times, it was the worst of times – and despite volatility caused by the spread of the Covid-19, a trickle of MTN issuance has managed to slip through into the market.

Markets expressed disappointment following the European Central Bank’s monetary policy meeting this week, but some analysts said that the changes made to the terms of its bank funding schemes represented a real war chest to support lending.

A sharp turn in market sentiment following the announcement of a travel ban by the US has destroyed any hopes for a revival in the corporate bond market, sending high grade spreads 25bp wider as borrowers ducked and covered until at least next week.

Once again, corporate bond markets have staged a recovery after a shutdown of several days as asset prices plummeted in response to the growing coronavirus outbreak. Three industrial companies plus JP Morgan issued bonds in the US on Tuesday, which “all went exceptionally well” according to a head of syndicate in London. Danone launched on Wednesday the first euro corporate issue of the week, paying a high spread but small new issue premium.

Deutsche Bank said this week that it will keep its $1.25bn 6.25% additional tier one outstanding beyond its first call date, having become the second European bank to extend the life of an AT1 for economic reasons.

The recent fall in the price of oil is having a knock-on effect on non-core currency issuance. While oil dependent markets could take a hit as their currencies weaken, some net importers could benefit from a stronger currency and safe haven flows.

On Monday, a day when European stock indices plummeted, hedge fund giant Bridgewater Associates was executing short positions against 37 of the continent's companies, particularly in France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands.