UK

Shawbrook Bank has appointed a head of fintech strategy as it looks to launch a new cloud-based lending platform.

Dubai’s Emirates NBD Bank has sold a small stake in NMC Health, the beleaguered UAE private healthcare company, to close out a loan owed by Infinite Investment, a vehicle for two of the company’s controlling shareholders.

Vivo Energy, the pan-African fuel distributor, has added Numis Securities to its corporate broking roster.

Several US private placement agents have told GlobalCapital that their market is finally starting to take sustainable financing seriously. But while there is an evident buzz, most feel that anything tangible, such as pricing advantages prompted by dedicated environmental, social and governance-focused funds, is still far off.

UK flooring company Victoria issued a €170m add-on to its €330m of outstanding 5.25% senior secured notes, due in 2024. The royal carpet maker successfully issued its debut bond last summer after failing at the first attempt in 2018 in a horribly timed launch.

Trades in Prosus, the Amsterdam-listed technology holding company, and UAE payments company Network International flew out of the gates on Tuesday night, and market sources say Europe is finally becoming more of a destination for tech deals.

Investors flocked to a rare offering of restricted tier one (RT1) capital from Phoenix Group Holdings this week, allowing the insurance company to tighten pricing by 37.5bp. The bonds will form part of the financing for the UK firm’s acquisition of ReAssure Group from Swiss Re.

Resolute Mining, the Australian gold miner, has raised A$196m (£103m) via a transcontinental capital increase to repay a bridge loan used to fund its acquisition of Toro Gold in August last year.

Greater clarity over Brexit is allowing UK banks to enjoy a warm reception in euros at the start of 2020, with Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets following two of its peers into the market this week.

The UK Debt Management Office and the UK Treasury have launched an invitation to tender for the appointment of syndicate banks to run the sovereign’s second sukuk, which is being planned for this year.

Intu, the British real estate and investment trust focused on shopping centres, has confirmed it will be tapping its shareholders for equity capital in February, but sources say the company needs to outline its vision for its future, given the headwinds buffeting the UK retail sector.

Anglo American's offer to rescue Sirius Minerals could provide an unexpected windfall for the convertible bond investors.