Société Générale

Ashley Wilkins, Société Générale's outgoing head of global finance for Asia Pacific, was in bullish mood this week as he prepared to head back to an as-yet undisclosed new role in the bank's UK operation. "We are firing on all six cylinders, not even just four," he said.

The French bank has been riding out the Russia crisis, where it has large exposures. But it also has big corporate finance plans elsewhere in Europe, writes David Rothnie.

Eiffage, the French construction company, is refinancing a €3.3bn term loan and revolving facility for its subsidiary Autoroutes Paris-Rhin-Rhône (APRR). Seven banks are underwriting the loan and syndication is planned to close next week.

Ashley Wilkins, Société Générale's outgoing head of global finance for Asia Pacific, is in bullish mood as he prepares to head back to an as-yet undisclosed new role in the bank's UK operation. "We are firing on all six cylinders, not even just four," he says. The bank has spent the last few years repairing and rebuilding in the region, and while a falling oil price brings difficulties for that process, current eurozone conditions offer new opportunities.

German rented housing company Deutsche Annington has syndicated a €6.25bn bridge loan for its takeover of Luxembourg-based rival Gagfah. It is the largest real estate facility since 2008, according to Dealogic, but DA may only need a fraction of the facility.

Host Europe, the German online hosting provider, expects to close books for its £535m loan for the acquisition of Intergenia by the middle of this week, after the consent process for the deal took longer than expected.

Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking has relocated Sadia Ricke from Paris to Hong Kong to take on the position of head of global finance for Asia Pacific, an appointment that came into effect on January 1 this year.

Altice on January 30 achieved a successful sale for its €4.8bn-equivalent bond package backing its takeover of Portugal Telecom.

China State Shipbuilding Corp is set to be the latest Asian issuer to tap the European bond market, after mandating banks for a debut which will be backed by a standby letter of credit (SBLC) from Bank of China.

French investment company Wendel sold a €500m 12 year bond on Friday, having increased the deal in response to strong demand and favourable pricing.

Corporate bond bankers were treading carefully in the immediate aftermath of the Greek general election won by anti-austerity party Syriza last Sunday, but by Tuesday new issues were attracting huge books and pricing at super-tight spreads, restoring confidence in the market.

Syndication for Dutch grain trader Nidera’s $800m revolving credit facility will close on February 17, according to a banker on the deal.