Singapore

Malaysia’s CIMB has named Kong Sooi Lin as CEO of its investment bank, a role she had covered since the group chief executive left the position earlier this year.

United Overseas Bank sold a landmark transaction this week, printing the first euro-denominated covered bond from Asia, and plans to become a frequent issuer in the market.

Overseas-Chinese Banking Corporation will become the third issuer from Singapore to set up a covered bond programme, its head of funding confirmed with GlobalCapital’s sister publication The Cover on Tuesday. Though similarly rated to Singapore’s other two issuers, OCBC’s business model is somewhat different.

The financial services arm of US automaker Ford has launched bookbuilding for its maiden foray into the Singapore dollar bond market.

Giles Ong, regional head of investment banking and advisory at Maybank, has resigned and plans to leave the firm in April.

Fixed income specialist SC Lowy and UOB Asset Management are set to launch a $400m CLO that will consist predominantly of bank loans from Asia Pacific issuers.

Australian utility firm AusNet Services diversified its funding options this week with its first outing in Singapore dollars, printing a S$200m ($142m) hybrid.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) published a paper on banks’ underwriting and corporate lending businesses on Monday. While the central bank did not observe a deterioration in underwriting standards, it cautioned the country's lenders about the increasing use of working capital and bullet loans.

The financial services arm of US automaker Ford has picked two banks to arrange a potential bond denominated in Singapore dollars.

Australian energy firm AusNet Services started attracting bids for a 60 non-call 5.5 year subordinated offering on Monday. The hybrid issuance is denominated in Singapore dollars and marks the company’s first outing in the currency.

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has put in a non-binding bid to acquire London-based Baltic Exchange, the global hub for trading and settlement of physical and derivative shipping contracts.

The Asian debt capital market did not have an easy 2015 with numerous macro and political headwinds causing a fall in new issuance. While jittery conditions are here to stay, Clifford Lee, head of fixed income for DBS, told GlobalCapital Asia that his business is well positioned to combat the volatility.