Supranationals are making the most of demand in Romanian lei, picking up short dated funding in the currency.

The World Bank has grown its funding team with the hiring of a well-known figure from the MTN dealer community — and will add another name soon.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) tapped a five year Mexican peso line on Monday, becoming the latest supranational to access the popular niche currency, in what is by far the strongest start to the year on record for supranational issuance in the currency.

The MTN market has suffered from a dearth of supply over the past few weeks, but stabilising rates could restart flows in the product.

Two supranational borrowers used niche currency private placements this week to raise cash for their green projects.

New technologies are marching into the securities issuance process. This week came bids to shake up two very different kinds of private debt — traditional corporate Schuldscheine and funky structured notes.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has introduced a new theme to the market for socially responsible investments, printing a “health bond” in Polish zloty on Tuesday.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has introduced a new theme to market for socially responsible investments, printing a “health bond” in Polish zloty.

Italy could retrieve half of the basis points it has lost to Spain in the run-up its general election next weekend — if the vote returns the most market-friendly result, according to a portfolio manager at a leading investment house. Spain, meanwhile, printed a 30 year benchmark with the second largest book ever for a euro sovereign deal in the tenor — another sign that the country is marching towards or already at semi-core status, said bankers.

The Autonomous Community of Madrid this week made a triumphant second visit to the socially responsible investment (SRI) market as it printed a deal double the size of its debut last year. Further issuance from the borrower — in conventional and SRI format — is likely to come soon, although in private placement (PP) format. But there may be further SRI issuance from some of Madrid’s Spanish peers.

The World Bank’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) themed bond could mark a sea change as socially responsible investors broaden their focus from environmental issues to the wider universe of sustainable assets, particularly focused on the UN’s SDGs.

Issuance of Indian rupee MTNs is at record levels this year, with dealers citing higher yields and a stable exchange rate for the flows. Elsewhere in the market, Malaysian ringgit has made an appearance for the first time this year.