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* Deutsche Apotheker- und Aerztebank eG (DAPO) Rating: A2/A

Transactions increased: * Nordic Investment Bank

* Erste Europaïsche Pfandbrief-und Kommunalkreditbank Rating: Aaa/AAA

Credit Suisse has declared itself "shocked and deeply concerned" by allegations relating to Argentinian merchant bank Banco General de Negocios (BGN), of which it owns 12% voting interest. Carlos Rohm, BGN's vice chairman and a Chase Capital Partners veteran, was arrested in late January in connection with allegations of money laundering and the illegal export of $70m.

Don Devine, head of the debt syndicate at Credit Suisse First Boston, has quit. It is not yet known what his plans are, but EuroWeek understands that he wants to take some time off work and is not moving to another firm. Devine was a senior member of the US bond team at CSFB led by trading head Jack DiMaio and head of investment grade John Walsh. When Bob Diamond of Barclays Capita attempted to poach the team in March of last year, Devine was one of the prizes.

Thomson Multimedia (TMM) this week announced plans to combine a capital increase with a selldown by the French government of part of its 37% stake. TMM, a consumer electronics group, made the announcement on Tuesday at the same time as releasing strong 2001 results. The cash raised by TMM will fund acquisitions that are expected to be for its Digital Media Solutions (DMS) division.

Arrangers Barclays Capital, Fortis Bank, Rabobank (bookrunner), RBS (bookrunner) and SG have confirmed that the $500m debt facility for ED&F is progressing well in syndication. Banks were invited to join the deal for commitments of $25m for 20bp, $15m for 15bp and $10m for 10bp. A utilisation fee of 20bp and a commitment fee of 25bp is charged.

The Republic of Turkey surprised the market this week by choosing to tap its $750m 2006 Eurobond for a further $250m via Morgan Stanley and Citigroup, the same banks that launched the original deal late last year. Market speculation over the last two weeks had focused on a tap up to the magic $1bn mark of the republic's more recent 10 year dollar deal via Credit Suisse First Boston and Goldman Sachs.

The region of Tuscany is putting the finishing touches to a euro1.5 billion ($1.31 billion) Euro-MTN facility. The facility is due to be signed on March 6 and there are five arrangers. The arrangers are UBS Warburg, Deutsche Bank and Merrill Lynch. Banca Nazionale del Lavoro and Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena are co-arrangers. Simonetta Baldi is responsible for finance and tax services at the region of Tuscany and she says: "The dealer panel has not yet been selected, but it should be confirmed before the end of next week. Some will be banks that pitched for the arrangership." The facility is being set up to finance the region's investment project, which will run from 2003 to 2007. The Euro-MTN programme will also be used to refinance some of the region's existing debt. Tuscany's investment project will work on improving the following sectors: transport, coastal erosion in Tuscany, investment in the major towns of the region (Florence, Prato and Arezzo), health and social sectors, student accommodation, culture and museums, and technology. Baldi, at the region of Tuscany, says: "Over the five-year period of the investment project it will need euro900 million and most of this will be raised off the MTN programme." The debut bond will be issued before the end of May and will be approximately euro465 million. It is likely to be denominated in euro, although the region cannot rule out the possibility of it being in sterling. The maturity will be 20 years and it will be led by the arrangers of the programme. Baldi says: "Other notes are possible in 2002 after the debut trade, but it is premature to say what these will be." The region is rated Aa3 by Moody's and is expecting to receive a rating from Standard & Poor's in March or April. (See feature on page 3).

HypoVereinsbank closed the shortest dated US dollar trade with its $10 million nine-month trade. Republic of Austria closed a $500 million note in the five-year sector, which is due on March 7 2002 and will mature on August 31 2007. It pays a final coupon of 5% and is the issuer's second $500 million trade of the year. Natexis Banque also issued $500 million note due on February 28 and maturing in February 2006. Natexis Banque Populaire was the sole bookrunner and it was also joint lead manager along with Lehman Brothers. The note is a straight FRN linked to 3m $Libor +15 basis points. And KfW International Finance closed a $20 million three-year trade that pays interest semi-annually.

* Crédit Agricole SA Rating: Aa1/AA

Globals * Citigroup Inc