South America

André Esteves resigned from his positions as chairman of the board and chief executive of BTG Pactual on Sunday following his arrest on November 25 as part of Brazilian authorities’ investigation into corruption at Petrobras.

Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) has bought back $640m of senior unsecured notes at a discount, taking advantage of sub-par dollar prices and its strong cash position to reduce its debt burden.

The arrest of BTG Pactual’s chairman and chief executive dragged the Brazilian banking sector into the Petrobras corruption investigation this week, as bond market participants said fears were running high that Lava Jato would uncover even more skeletons in the closet.

Argentina will offer a rare high point for Latin American new issuance volumes next year, predict bankers and investors, after voters in South America’s second largest economy elected the most business friendly candidate as their next president.

The arrest of one of the most respected figures in Latin American banking on Tuesday could be the start of a new painful chapter in Brazil’s corruption scandal, Latin American bond market participants have warned.

Mortgage lender Banco Hipotecario on Tuesday sold the first international bond from Argentina since Mauricio Macri was elected president, as optimism continues to be tempered by the challenges the leader will face.

Argentina has been a pariah among international creditors for years, but its new, pro-business president may reopen the door to foreign investors — the question for derivatives players is how they can take part.

Emerging market bond investors say that Argentine lender, Banco Hipotecario could this week price a $250m five year deal in what would be a stern test of market appetite for the country following Mauricio Macri’s election as president.

Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) will buy back $640m of senior unsecured notes at a discount, taking advantage of sub par dollar prices and its strong cash position to reduce its debt burden.

Mauricio Macri’s victory in Sunday’s Argentine presidential elections signals a new era for the country and should lead to a further rally in the sovereign’s bonds, at least in the short term, say market analysts.

Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES), the Brazilian government-owned development bank, on Monday became the latest financial institution from the country to look to take advantage of depressed bond prices by repurchasing debt below par.

With the most business-friendly candidate boasting a lead of at least eight points in opinion polls ahead of the second round of Argentina’s presidential elections this Sunday, bankers are hoping Argentina can once again play an important role in Latin American bond markets.