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Bancassurance is slowly taking hold in Asia following its success in Europe. But Asian nations vary significantly in their acceptance of cross-selling insurance through banking channels. By Chris Wright and Saibal Dasgupta.

The partial privatization of Hong Kong's Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) logged a number of achievements, but none greater than its success in promoting on-line broking. The eIPO method – as the government tagged the on-line component of the deal – accounted for a record 12% of the entire transaction.

The privatization party in Australia is coming to an end and the volume of syndicated lending is subsiding accordingly. True, there is activity in the corporate loans sector, but the bond market bankers want a share of the action, and syndication officers will have to look sharp to get the deals. Fiona Haddock reports.

Why do Asia-Pacific companies prefer Nasdaq? Why have Indian software companies opted for the NYSE? As the distinction between the two US bourses becomes blurred, what are the issues governing corporates' choices?

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec) and its lead managers put a brave face on the disappointing early performance of its US$3.4 billion IPO in October. Yes, it traded down; but there is plenty to suggest it will not stay that way.

After the Asian financial crisis, effective risk management should be high on the industry “to do” list. But it's not that simple. Cost and liquidity are just two of the issues that stand between corporates and effective hedging. Fiona Haddock reports.

It was almost like a return to the good old days before the start of the Asian crisis. On October 18, retail investors mobbed Siam Commercial Bank's 465 branches nationwide for the chance to buy in to the initial public offering of Thailand's Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding. Not only were the 175 million shares reserved for retail investors snapped up in 18 minutes, but a backlog equivalent to a further 15% of the shares was recorded within 35 minutes of the opening. A week earlier, institutional investors had also joined the fray, subscribing to 225 million shares.

Who appeared on more Taiwan magazine covers than anyone else this month? Not the country's president, Chen Shui-bian, or Latin pop idol, Ricky Martin, but Peter Kurz, erstwhile head of equity and research at Merrill Lynch, Taiwan. Asiamoney met up with Taiwan's flavour of the month to discuss the cause of the furore.

All is not lost for the GDR. Following the Nasdaq crash earlier this year, bankers believe that the GDR, which used to account for a higher proportion of Asian DR issuance, could stage a comeback.

All is not lost for the GDR. Following the Nasdaq crash earlier this year, bankers believe that the GDR, which used to account for a higher proportion of Asian DR issuance, could stage a comeback.

China's ambitious restructuring of its state-owned enterprises is underway. As these companies look to the international capital markets for funding, the opportunities for foreign financial players are huge. But the recent re-launch of the Bank of China's investment arm, the country's only wholly state-owned investment bank, may prompt a different slant on the strategies of foreign banks. Pauline Loong reports.

Tony Jansz has investment banking coursing through his veins – but given the chance he would rather focus on his geek credentials.