HY/EM debt convergence to open new market for EU issuers As record volumes in European debt capital markets continue into 2014, so too has the availability of funding options increased
Private debt funds – why now? Low borrowing costs and the rise of non-bank lenders are tipped to boost M&A activity across Europe this yea
Price expectation gap narrows in European M&A A liquid debt market and cashed-up corporates and private equity funds suggest 2014 will be a bumper year for European M&A
Dutch debtor pushes the boundaries of UK SOAs A Dutch company’s recent scheme of arrangement has cemented the UK’s rivalry with the US as the in-court restructuring venue of choice
How SEC ban of Big Four's China auditing could benefit HK A Securities and Exchange Commission judge has ruled that the Big Four’s Chinese affiliates cannot audit US-listed companies for six months
What’s wrong with London’s listing rules The market has criticised London’s proposed new listing rules for companies with a controlling shareholder, pointing to ineffective sanctions and a lack of clarity in key areas
IFLR’s 2014 European awards: shortlist revealed The deal and team nominations for this year's European awards have been announced
Asia squeeze-out rules pose execution risks The increase in public takeovers and take-privates expected throughout the Asia Pacific in 2014 has prompted deal execution concerns surrounding local squeeze-out rules
Nicaragua: Nicaragua's long-awaited microfinance rules Olga Barreto of Consortium explains the rights and obligations of the country's microcredit entities
First multi-bank ABS programme explained In a first of its kind ABS deal, Citigroup and Santander have combined their international trade finance receivables to launch the Trade Maps 1 Limited, Series 2013-1 programme
Kenyan renewable first reveals appetite for African risk The Kinangop wind farm is a rare example of a renewable project in sub-Saharan Africa to complete without significant development finance institute or multilateral risk support
LatAm’s first greenfield project bond explained Peru’s Eten cold reserve power plant has issued the first international greenfield project bond in Latin America. Deal counsel explain how it was done
Short-selling judgment reveals future of EU financial regulation A recent European court judgment rejecting a UK challenge to the EU short-selling ban is set to have wide-ranging consequences for the way the 28-nation bloc regulates its financial services.
Indonesia IPP first sets state guarantee precedent The Banten IPP financing marked the first Indonesian power deal that did not require government support for the obligations of state utility PLN
Why foreign investors want GCC retail JVs Hogan Lovells’ Imtiaz Shah and Erin Kiem on why foreign investors are choosing joint ventures with local partners over traditional franchise arrangements
EU bank reform plan points to global Volcker Recent proposals aimed at overhauling Europe’s biggest banks to prevent a repeat of the 2007-2008 financial crisis have pointed to the likelihood of a global ban on proprietary trading
Regulators cooperate to target corporate governance Regulators and law enforcement authorities are cooperating more closely in tackling international fraud and bribery cases. This led to an increase in prosecutions and penalties around the world last year
French reforms give teeth to creditor committees In two weeks, France’s Council of Ministers is expected to approve a package of reforms that will significantly improve creditor rights in the country’s restructuring and insolvency proceedings
Analysis: Do new EC merger rules really simplify? The European Commission was clearly proud of its new procedural rules for mergers when announcing them back in December. But do the changes, which took effect on January 1, really make life easier for merging entities?
Survey reveals corporates’ anti-corruption policy flaws AlixPartners’ 2014 Anti-Corruption Survey reveals that general counsel and compliance professionals are concerned about anti-corruption, but there are still shortcomings in companies’ global compliance programmes
What’s next for Myanmar sanctions Despite easing sanctions against Myanmar over the last 18 months, the US is still adding names to the list of Specially Designated Nationals. Further US assistance depends on whether the frontier fulfils the US’ human rights demands
Poll: what aspect of Mifid II concerns you the most? Market participants reveal their key concerns with European policymakers’ latest attempt to harmonise and regulate cross-border trading
Overhauling Turkish public offerings Esin Attorney Partnership's Muhsin Keskin on how the country's comprehensive capital markets reforms will cause fundamental shifts in local primary markets
Luxembourg: Europe's offshore RMB centre? Jan Willem Möller of Loyens & Loeff analyses why the country is emerging as the eurozone’s hub for dim sum bonds
Laos hydro project creates new frontier financing model A Laos hydropower project has marked a step forward for financings in the region. Here's why
Troubled bank to clarify India's Basel III commitment The path the government chooses to resolve United Bank of India will be seen as a precedent for how the country deals with failing banks under Basel III
Mexican Reit completes first US bond offering Fibra Uno’s first offering of US dollar debt by a Mexican Reit has employed structural innovations that could pave the way copycat deals in 2014
Inside China: the AMC experiment The government has set up asset management companies to reduce risk in the country’s banking system. But can they enhance value in distressed businesses?
European issuers push HY boundaries The further erosion of investor protections is set to define this year's high-yield market. Here are the covenants giving issuers even greater flexibility
Prospectus Directive III: the market’s wish list With preliminary discussions about to start, industry participants have some key concerns about the Prospectus Directive's next amendments
Hong Kong analyst disclosure regulations need clarity Hong Kong’s sponsor regulations have caused increased concern over pre-deal reports by underwriting banks’ analysts. One lawyer thinks he has a solution
Deal of the month: Fibra Uno's US offering The first Fibra to raise international debt offers important lessons for Mexico’s budding real-estate investment trust sector
European In-house Counsel Forum highlights Bank and corporate counsel shed light on how European issuers and acquirers should navigate the abundance of new funding opportunities
Is US securitisation going back to 2005? The ABS market’s return in the US features a healthy dose of caution. But growing confidence and the appearance of new structures begs the question: have we been here before?
Glimmers of hope for UK RMBS A lack of prime RMBS issuance last year created a window for non-conforming and more bespoke trades. Here’s what to expect from 2014
Mifid II: widening the net Recently announced EU reforms introduce yet another set of compliance considerations for traders, and the possibility of greater regulatory intervention
