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BNP Paribas struggled this week to generate interest in the Eu435m convertible bond that it led for Vinci, the French construction company. Many investors rejected the opportunity to gain further exposure to a company that has already seen three equity-linked deals exchangeable into its stock issued in less than two years. The lead managers chose to launch the deal after the close of the market on Monday, which, according to a banker who worked on the deal, created some uncertainty with investors who already have a large amount of exposure to Vinci.

The $500m three year facility for Banki Markazi Jomhouri Islami Iran has been closed. Mandated lead arranger is BNP Paribas.

Rating: Aa3/AAA (S&P) Amount: Ck1bn

To accommodate relationship banks unable to commit the chunky tickets on offer in senior syndication of Johnston Press's £680m acquisition facility, Deutsche Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland will launch the deal into a limited general syndication. Banks invited to join senior syndication were asked to commit £75m with a final intended take of £35m. The deal has been praised as neatly structured and reasonably priced. Retail will be launched today (Friday).

Arranger Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp has launched and fully underwritten a ¥20bn three year term loan for Victor Company of Japan (JVC). The borrower is involved with research, development, manufacturing and sales of electronics' software and media products. Market responses have been positive and, in the case of an oversubscription, the borrower will be given the option to increase the deal size.

John Wood Group, the UK's largest oil services company, this week confirmed its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange, in a deal that should value the company at around £1bn. Cazenove and Credit Suisse First Boston have been appointed to lead manage the offering, which is scheduled to launch on May 10.

Rating: AA- Amount: Eu150m

JP Morgan this week completed the merger of its corporate derivatives and equity capital markets teams, becoming the latest bank to seek greater efficiency by combining two businesses. The merger was effected earlier this year, but it was only this week that the new group began operating out of the same place. Over recent months both Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs have signalled their intention to move corporate derivatives and ECM closer together.

The mandate to arrange the $25m six month facility for Kazakhstan Development Bank has been awarded this week. Sole mandated arranger and agent for the deal is ING.

Guarantor: Kazkommertsbank Rating: Ba2/B+/BB-

Guarantor: Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau Rating: Aaa/AAA/AAA