Turkish bank Akbank’s $1 billion bond has avoided the usual loan participation structure. It also anticipates expected changes to tax laws

The first secured high-yield bond to be sold under the new German Bond Act has some innovative features, including the first trustee-like service

Liquidity and leverage proposals by the Basel committee could threaten the Danish market in mortgage credit bonds. But the instruments’ business model is very safe

Asian trustees are increasingly powerful, which can lead to delays when bonds default. Their influence needs to be reduced

Rules allowing companies to pay renminbi dividends to foreign investors have paved the way for a new bond structure in China

Portugal has increased disclosure on short positions in listed shares. The regulator is also keen to extend disclosure to debt, but will wait for guidance from Cesr

The German government has dropped its plans to ban all equity trading that creates short positions, but curbs on naked short selling will remain

Hong Kong’s stock exchange has released new rules for listing minerals companies that will encourage more offerings from international resources companies

The fee riddle solved by standby financing, and the underwriting agreement without termination rights

A unique liquidity provision in the prospectus for Prudential’s rights issue will allay HKEx concerns over price volatility when the group lists in Hong Kong

Basel’s proposed relaxation of liquidity and capital guidelines is good news for banks. But regulators must still provide more clarity, and be careful not to water down their original intentions too much

To the relief of Japanese banks, the Basel Committee has scrapped measures that could have invalidated some of their tier-one capital

Why Malta is set to be the big winner of the EU’s Ucits IV legislation package released this month

Obama’s signing of the Dodd-Frank Act marked the end of a year-long effort for legislation. But it is not the end for confusion over how the law will affect banks

New rules on related-party transactions could change the structure of Italian companies¹ boards

International Financial Law Review’s inaugural European Private Equity Forum will be an opportunity for private equity professionals to focus on the key issues affecting regulation and transactions in the industry

Australia has released new FDI guidelines. Foreign government-related entities should start building relationships with the national regulator now

Hong Kong has tabled its long-awaited competition bill. In a sop to business, the proposed law does not include a merger review regime

As AIFM restrictions loom for fund managers, a growing number of US, Asian and Middle Eastern hedge funds are turning to Ucits vehicles in Europe

The UK Takeover Panel’s consultation paper is a “very brave” and “sensible” proposal that doesn’t shy away from controversial debates. But implementing many of the changes could prove difficult

After months of arguments and amendments, the US Senate finally passed its regulatory reform bill late last night. But this does not signal the end of the process and the language of the bill is still unclear

Six weeks after the amended rule 17g-5’s implementation and issuers are starting to shun rated deals

The disclosure requirements imposed by rule 17g-5 highlights the expanding gap between regulators’ intentions and the practical implications of their rulemaking

Banks in Europe should prepare to take advantage of the enthusiastic investor base that already exists in the US

Congress’ decision not to include covered bonds in its financial reform has been met with disappointment. But many are confident of legislation later this year

With the securitisation markets still sluggish, covered bonds are an attractive new source of funding for banks in New Zealand. And Australia could be next