South Korea

South Korea’s Shinhan Bank wrapped a stylish return to the offshore renminbi market on July 27, raising more than initially targeted on the back of strong demand. The issuer was also able to price the new dim sum bond inside its dollar curve thanks to a favourable cross-currency swap (CCS).

South Korea’s Shinhan Bank wrapped a successful return to the offshore renminbi market on July 27, raising more than initially aimed on the back of strong demand. The issuer was also able to price the new dim sum bond inside its dollar curve thanks to a favourable cross currency swap (CCS).

China Merchants Holdings (International) Company has opened books on a dual tranche offering that could raise the firm as much as $700m.

CICC in limelight for $1bn — LIG Nex1 gets IPO nod — Pakistan preps for State Life sale — San Miguel brews $739m

Export Import Bank of Korea (Kexim) made a quick return to the offshore renminbi market this week, copying the pioneering approach it took in February when it sold the country’s first single tranche CNH deal to be listed in both Taiwan and Singapore.

South Korean weapons maker LIG Nex1, which filed for an IPO worth W400bn-W500bn ($360m-450m) in early June, has received the regulator’s approval to go ahead with its listing.

Export Import Bank of Korea (Kexim) is set to make another outing to the offshore renminbi bond market this year with a new bond dual listed in Taiwan and Singapore. It looks to take advantage of cost currency swap rates between dollars and renminbi.

Primary deals are once again flowing in Asia ex-Japan amid a gradual untangling of the Greek debt crisis and an improving Chinese equities market. But even with the worst apparently behind them, market participants in the region are predicting issuance to be stop-start and dominated by investment grade credits as they prepare for the second half of the year, writes Rev Hui.

Hanjin Transportation defied the odds to raise W217.84bn ($191.57m) from a block trade in Korean Air Lines, with sole bookrunner Morgan Stanley winning plaudits for its handling of the transaction that hit the market just a week after the first attempt fizzled out.

South Korea’s Nonghyup Bank made a rapid return to the offshore bond market on July 15. Having learned lessons from its reduced outing last year, the Korean lender shuffled its banks and opted to raise just $300m. More importantly, bankers believe this deal could act as price guidance for Kookmin’s upcoming covered bonds.

Korea Development Bank (KDB) made a rare venture into Singapore dollars, pricing a S$200m ($146.8m) three year bond. The deal was not only KDB’s biggest deal in the currency, but it was also the largest issue by a Korean name.

In this round-up, Hong Kong RMB deposits and cross-border RMB trade settlement recover slightly in May, Bank of Korea activates a RMB liquidity facility to support markets, Mizuho Bank launches free trade accounts in Shanghai's FTZ, and the FTZ authority ventures overseas with six new offices.