Natixis

French covered bond issuer BPCE attracted almost €1.4bn of demand for its seven year as the need to price over OATs conferred a generous new issue premium. But with French covered bonds trading much tighter than OATs in the 10 year tenor there is a growing sense that a new 10 year issue could soon price much tighter than France.

Equity-linked bond issuance, lagging behind demand in Europe, showed a burst of vigour on Thursday with the launch of three deals, including substantial convertibles for Vinci and Severstal that were both eagerly received.

France’s Klepierre printed a €500m 10 year trade on Thursday, with bankers still waiting for a euro issuing corporate to take the step and stretch maturities in the currency further.

Belgium defied turmoil afflicting European government bond spreads this week, pulling in big books for a dual tranche euro benchmark. The sovereign's success may have emboldened Finland to follow suit with its own barbell transaction.

A crude oil refiner affiliated to Sinochem Group has made its debut in the international syndicated loan market for $110m, with a view to expanding its overseas banking relationships.

The Green Bond Principles could be adapted to include clarification on the types of assets eligible for financing from the market, according to a sustainability consultant at Vigeo Eiris. The topic has grown in importance after France’s debut sovereign green bond last week included intangible assets among its use of proceeds.

French agency Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations is set to follow its sovereign by bringing a debut green bond syndication in 2017, after hiring banks on Thursday to run a roadshow for the potential trade.

Shares in UniCredit, Italy’s largest bank, closed 1.7% lower on Thursday after it unveiled the terms for its fully underwritten €13bn recapitalisation late on Wednesday.

Asian Development Bank's first euro syndication in three years enjoyed only tepid success on Wednesday, as observers wondered if the 20 year trade was fully subscribed.

Natixis has added another banker to its bond syndicate desk in Paris, to cover corporate bonds.

Shortly after naming a new head of global DCM, Natixis has expanded the role of its head of emerging market DCM to encompass SSAs, amid other changes at the bank.

Tunisia has picked three banks for a euro-denominated benchmark transaction which looks set to be only its second deal without a guarantee since 2007.