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France Télécom struggled to sell its Eu442m exchangeable bond this week as its attempts to reopen the European mandatory convertible market were met with a muted response by investors which forced the company to reprice the deal. Not since National Grid tried to sell a £1.2bn issue in Energis via HSBC in January 1999 have investors had an opportunity to invest in a European mandatory offering. But, as with the National Grid offering, France Télécom on Monday was given a cold reception by a risk averse investor base which was initially unprepared to commit to a transaction that many did not fully understand.

Mandated lead arrangers Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, DZ Bank, LB Kiel and Mizuho closed syndication of the Eu100m three year facility for RZB Croatia yesterday (Thursday). Alpha Bank, Bawag, BayernLB, Commerzbank, KBC and WGZ have joined as arrangers. Two levels of participation have been offered: co-arranger for a take of Eu5m and fees of 55bp; or lead manager for a ticket of Eu2.5m-Eu4.99m and fees of 47.5bp. The deal pays a margin of 75bp over Libor.

Deutsche Bank is sole arranging a $575m recapitalisation of the 1999 buy-out of Dade Behring by Bain Capital and Goldman Sachs. Debt facilities backing the original buy-out totalled $1.25bn.

Mandated arranger Nordea will sign banks into the Eu55m three year EIB guaranteed facility for Borealis AS on August 8. The credit will cover the remaining period of a Eu105m five year EIB guaranteed loan granted in March 1998. That facility was arranged by ABN Amro and paid a guaranteed commission of 22.5bp.

Romanian issuance has finally picked up this week after a quiet first 2002. The launch of the $300m six year loan for Romanian mobile phone company MobiFon was followed by the signing yesterday (Thursday) of the $150m multi-tranche facility for state owned oil company SNP Petrom. MobiFon's $300m six year loan comprises a $120m A-loan facility provided by the EBRD and a $110m B-loan that is jointly underwritten by Bank Austria and ABN Amro and was launched into general syndication on July 29.

EuroWeek understands that Electricidade de Portugal (EdP) has bowed to the turbulence in the capital markets by delaying the euro tranche of its planned deal until after the summer.

EuroWeek understands that Electricidade de Portugal (EdP) has bowed to the turbulence in the capital markets by delaying the euro tranche of its planned deal until after the summer.

Up to 25 banks are close to responding to the proposed $1.15bn debt financing for the Egypt LNG project. SG, the financial adviser for the project, has requested banks to respond within the next few days after which it will choose a smaller number of banks to be issued with the project's preliminary information memorandum over the next couple of weeks.

ABN Amro, DnB Markets and Svenska Handelsbanken won the mandate this week to arrange the debt facility backing the proposed acquisition by Norwegian metals and materials producer Elkem of its Swedish rival Sapa. A prospectus detailing the offer will be distributed to shareholders on August 12 and the acceptance period will run from August 13 until September 2. The amount of the facility and future syndication of the loan will not become clear until after the acquisition is complete.

Compiled by Stephanie Weedon HSBC Bank plc, London Tel: +44 20 7336 3525

Mandated arrangers Nordea and Sampo Bank have signed a Eu40m five year multi-currency club-style facility for Polar Electro. The deal was oversubscribed and increased to Eu50m. Danske Bank, Landesbank Schleswig-Holstein and OKO Bank have joined as arrangers.

EuroWeek hears that the Eu1.2bn of senior and subordinated debt facilities backing the PAI-led buy-out of Elis from BC Partners are split into Eu910m of senior debt and a Eu290m warrantless mezzanine tranche. The senior debt is divided into a Eu310m seven year term loan 'A', a Eu230m eight year term loan 'B', a Eu200m nine year erm loan 'C', a Eu50m revolver and a Eu120m acquisition line.