Coping with Russian and Ukraine sanctions Sanctions placed on Russian and Ukrainian officials by the US and EU are constantly evolving, forcing banks and other financial institutions to take a proactive approach to due diligence and financing
Why Bitcoin could be the key to banking’s future Virtual currencies are set to play a key role in the evolution of finance. But developing links between the two worlds won't be easy
Spain’s new bankruptcy law: B+ for effort Spain has overhauled its bankruptcy regime in a bid to make it easier for ailing companies to avoid liquidation. But the long-anticipated reforms will likely need further amendments to ensure they are workable
Analysis: Reg AB II transparency debate As the comment period for Reg AB II closes, issuers and investors continue to clash over the level of disclosures in ABS offerings
Australian Basel III-bonds come of age The country's Basel III-compliant bond market has an established framework for AT1 offerings. But more innovation is expected in Tier 2s.
What Indonesia BIT termination means for investors Foreign investors will lose an important protection mechanism if the country terminates all of its bilateral investment treaties
Skadden takes home Americas awards top honours Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom was named the Americas firm of the year at this year's IFLR Americas Awards. See the full list of winners here
Are banks heading towards global Volcker implementation? The wide scope of the final US Volcker rule has cast doubt on banks’ ability to make use of the exemptions
Roy Hill financing sets mining precedent The Australian iron ore project marks an important step forward for limited recourse financing in mining projects. Here's why
European cov-lite heats up as regulators stay quiet As volumes of cov-lite loans increase in Europe, the loss of early warning systems could be dangerous
China corporate panda success limited by pricing Daimler became the first foreign corporate to sell Chinese onshore bonds last month. But unfavourable pricing will limit future deals
G20 identifies outstanding cross-border OTC issues A report issued this week by the G20’s OTC derivatives group have for the first time set milestones and deliverables for cross-border reforms
High yield’s in-house challenges revealed In-house working within European high yield are wrestling with stretched resources, inexperienced issuers and conflicts over outside counsel
Four lessons from Dutch PE securitisation first A pioneering Dutch acquisition and capital markets refinancing has revealed the interplay of several key trends in global finance markets
EU lawmakers finally approve Prips and KID The European Parliament and Council has agreed to introduce a Key Information Document as part of a Prips Regulation
Clifford Chance triumphs at IFLR Europe Awards Clifford Chance was named the international firm of the year at last night’s Europe Awards. See here for the full list of winners
Securitisation best practices to encourage workable rules Market initiatives to improve securitisation best practice are tipped to encourage European regulators to create more workable rules
Crowdfunding: popular but ineffective? Canadian regulators have followed their US counterparts in proposing crowdfunding rules. But the effectiveness of both regimes could be limited by burdensome fundraising restrictions
Shareholder ID plan riddled with flaws The European Commission’s latest plans to give companies new rights to identify shareholders are riddled with difficulties, according to key industry participants
Rural/Metro increases banks’ M&A liabilities, costs Judgment in the Rural/Metro buyout, which held the advising bank liable for not disclosing conflicts of interest, makes it harder for the financing community to identify the new liability and valuation standards they will be held to
Bitcoin exchange tests Chapter 15 for dotcoms A Japanese Bitcoin exchange’s Chapter 15 filing may set a precedent for US Bankruptcy Court recognition of international internet company restructurings
Europe boards counter rising shareholder activism As shareholder activism continues to grow in Europe, companies are taking a more proactive approach to engagement to ward off corporate raiders
Private equity liable for portfolio’s antitrust breach The EC has held a Goldman Sachs-sponsored fund jointly liable for a portfolio company’s cartel infringement. It could have implications for private equity
Emir's unanswered questions The European Market Infrastructure Regulation is causing confusion around the question of which instruments and agreements the new framework is designed to capture
Euromoney LMG Americas Women in Business Law Awards 2014 – shortlist announced All the nominees for the third annual Euromoney Legal Media Group Americas Women in Business Law Awards. Winners will be announced at Essex House, New York on June 5
Margin rules create smoother squeeze-outs Linklaters explains how recent changes to Delaware law will expedite US take-privates and facilitate compliance with US margin regulation for purchasers and lenders globally
The Volcker Rule – a many-headed hydra The notorious regulation technically took effect on April 1. Covered entities must now pay closer attention to how they structure their trading activities, and their investments in fund-type vehicles
Enhanced leverage ratio could raise banks’ risk The US Federal Reserve's enhanced supplementary leverage ratio could push banks to add risk to their portfolios. Here's why
A new era for financial services competition The UK FCA is now responsible for promoting competition in financial services. Herbert Smith Freehills explains how the regulator is taking its new duties and powers very seriously
UK twin peaks regulation: one year on One year after the dual-regulated structure for UK financial services was created, the industry has spoken out about the controversial new arrangements
A11 proves governments will back project bonds A Belgian road financing signals Europe’s project bond sector has moved past its post-crisis structural issues and is now taking on its next challenge
Nasdaq Dubai's Reit first could boost GCC Nasdaq Dubai has become the first exchange in the GCC to list a Reit. But can the bourse capitalise on the deal to cement the emirate’s comeback?
Peru project bond a milestone for accepted practice A rare international placement of project bonds for a Latin American infrastructure has closed in Peru, potentially leading the way for 144A offerings in the region
SEC’s disclosure reform: less is more The SEC has a renewed focus on rationalising information disclosure requirements. Shearman & Sterling explains the consequences
POLL: how to improve London ECM Counsel reveal what they believe needs to change in London’s liquid but imperfect equity market
Inside China: the outbound acquisition playbook The evolution of outbound M&A strategies has much in common with that of American football. Buyers need a quarterback who can manage a deal safely
Highlights from IFLR's European Capital Market's Forum High yield, securitisation and retail structured products are all emerging in Europe’s capital markets boom. Here are the challenges facing the instruments
Chinese bonds: a future without government support As China's government shifts towards a more market-focused approach, debt capital market participants must address urgent structural issues
Structural challenges in direct lending Non-banks are a promising source of new finance for Europe’s SMEs. But the CRR and AIFMD are posing structuring challenges
ECA financing under CRD IV A new enforceability opinion requirement means ECA-backed financings have not escaped the EU regulatory overhaul unscathed
Remedies and pitfalls in Indonesian debt recovery Recent bankruptcy developments demonstrate why foreign creditors should be aware of the peculiarities of the country’s legal landscape
