The volume of public sector MTN issuance plunged 39% year on year in 2016’s first quarter, according to a Dealogic report. Europe's yield environment is partly to blame for the drop, say market participants.

Ireland has become the latest issuer to join the exclusive club of century bond issuers, after printing a 100-year note via private placement, the country’s National Treasury Management Agency said on Wednesday.

Three large Brazilian real denominated MTNs issued by Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) indicate that Brazilian investors are making a tax play, according to bankers.

Ireland used a private placement to sell its first ever 100 year note, the country’s National Treasury Management Agency said on Wednesday.

The pace of borrowing in offshore renminbi is accelerating, but public markets remain closed, meaning MTN issuance is dominating in the currency.

The International Finance Corporation sold on Wednesday the longest-dated Masala bond ever. The supranational also believes other issuers could be about to enter the market.

Public sector borrowers from the eurozone periphery are preparing a flurry of issuance in the next few days, with one still smarting from a change to its rating outlook late last week.

ABN Amro has picked a former BNP Paribas banker to head its MTN private placement desk.

The World Bank placed a Saudi Arabian riyal trade through JP Morgan on Friday. The Sr625m ($166.7m) five year note is the first MTN to be sold in riyal since December 2009, according to Dealogic.

The year to date volume of medium term note issuance is the lowest it has been for at least 15 years, according to Dealogic data.

The medium term note market is being marginalised by a flood of public trades ahead of the European Central Bank policy meeting on March 10.

Japanese retail investors will, for the first time, have the chance to invest in the International Finance Corporation's Masala programme after the supranational launched on Tuesday its first Masala Uridashi.