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It has come to something when the internet, the architect of the supposedly paperless office, becomes the trading platform for paper itself.

It has come to something when the internet, the architect of the supposedly paperless office, becomes the trading platform for paper itself.

A US$1 billion convertible bond blockbuster from government-owned Korean Deposit Insurance Corp (KDIC) could well lead the revival of the Asian convertible bond market. The largest pure Asian equity-linked issue from the region ex-Japan, and the second-largest in absolute terms (Hutchison Whampoa's US$3 billion exchangeable was the largest), it attracted a surprisingly enthusiastic response from investors. The book-build for the issuance closed within 48 hours – a record for a Korean equity-linked deal – and was said to be oversubscribed eight times. The exchange premium of 26% was also the highest in Asia.

Asia and M&A have been unlikely bed fellows in the past due to a high proportion of family-owned businesses in the region, and cross-cultural barriers. But there are clear signs that Asian companies are yielding to the global M&A trend. Joy Lee 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?

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.

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.