People & Markets

  • Your country needs you, investment bankers

    Your country needs you, investment bankers

    The 2008 financial crisis forged a generation of investment bankers well versed in advising governments — and with many having returned to banking, they are likely to be in demand again. But history suggests banks will not be earning lucrative fees, writes David Rothnie.

    26 Mar 2020
  • FCA stands firm on Libor transition deadline

    FCA stands firm on Libor transition deadline

    After discussions with the Bank of England and the Sterling Risk-Free Reference Rates Working Group over the impact of Covid-19 on companies’ plans to transition from Libor, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority said on Wednesday that the final deadline of the end of 2021 was immutable.

    25 Mar 2020
  • Blackstone's GSO raises huge European direct lending fund

    Blackstone's GSO raises huge European direct lending fund

    GSO Capital Partners, the credit unit of private equity firm Blackstone, has raised roughly $4.5bn for its second European direct lending fund, according to an SEC filing. But as the coronavirus pandemic wrecks corporate balance sheets, several sources are concerned with how European companies will fare.

    24 Mar 2020
  • Leveraged companies need help too

    Leveraged companies need help too

    Extraordinary support measures from central banks across the world include an element of corporate lending, but all the schemes announced so far target SMEs, and companies rated BBB- and above. That leaves a gaping hole in the rescue net, which the authorities must fill.

    24 Mar 2020
  • World looks to German crisis response ideas

    World looks to German crisis response ideas

    The UK government’s offer on Friday to pay 80% of the wages of furloughed workers came in the nick of time to save thousands of jobs in manufacturing and services. But few of those affected realised they were benefiting from a German idea. The move highlights how the coronavirus crisis is causing a rapid dissemination of techniques around the world.

    24 Mar 2020
  • Laments of ‘juniorisation’ as crisis measures resurface

    Laments of ‘juniorisation’ as crisis measures resurface

    Cuts made to senior staff in the debt markets are coming home to roost now that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are coming to bear on loans and private placements. Old hands that navigated the previous crises are in short supply as borrowers and investors look to implement deal amendments to cope with a coming recession.

    24 Mar 2020
  • CP support leaves gaps but banks ‘playing ball’

    CP support leaves gaps but banks ‘playing ball’

    Three UK companies have already flagged their interest in the Bank of England’s emergency commercial paper funding scheme for large businesses, announced on March 20. The big three rating agencies will help fast-track unrated investment grade issuers into the scheme, but the strict eligibility limits leave leveraged and smaller companies out in the cold.

    23 Mar 2020
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