Search results for

In June 2007, the government announced the 2007 Independent Power Producer (IPP) solicitation for 3,200mw, using a power purchase agreement similar to that used in its successful 1994 solicitation. Seven projects were awarded Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in that round – all achieved financial close, and all but one have commenced production. On October 19 2007, 20 proposals were submitted. The announcement of successful bidders is expected before the general election on December 23 2007.

Decree Law 144/2006 of July 31 2006 sets forth the New Insurance Mediation Regime (NIMR), implementing Directive 2002/92/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, on insurance mediation in Portugal (December 9 2002). One of the main innovations of the NIMR is that any activity introducing or proposing insurance contracts, carrying out preliminary work on insurance contracts, concluding such contracts, or assisting in their administration and performance, in particular in the event of a claim, is now subject to the rules and professional requirements established in the NIMR, irrespective of distribution channel. To carry out insurance mediation activities, individuals and companies must belong to one of the insurance mediation categories that the NIMR outlines – tied insurance intermediary, insurance intermediary, or insurance broker, the intermediary's level of proximity or dependency towards the insurance companies being the main criterion distinguishing between these categories.

Ireland Recommended firms Tier 1 A&L Goodbody Arthur Cox Matheson Ormsby Prentice McCann FitzGerald Tier 2 Dillon Eustace LK Shields Mason Hayes + Curran William Fry It was a year of looking outwards for the Irish capital markets. International transactions were on the rise, with Irish special-purpose vehicles (SPVs) involved in a wide range of cross-border deals. The domestic market was dominated by securitizations and covered bond transactions, which are growing in stature in Ireland but not quite as popular as international collateralized debt obligations (CDOs).

It is no secret that Germany's equity capital market scene has boomed along with the rest of western Europe. There has been an unprecedented number of initial public offerings (IPOs) and the tempo doesn't look like slowing just yet. This has been noted by the American firms, who have been intent on establishing themselves on the scene.

Finland Recommended firms Tier 1 Hannes Snellman Roschier White & Case Tier 2 Castrén & Snellman Waselius & Wist Tier 3 Borenius & Kemppinen Fennica Merilampi Marttila Laitasalo Tier 4 Dittmar & Indrenius Krogerus Attorneys LMR Finland's capital markets are still quiet as they continue to face overwhelming competition from other capital raising sectors. There have been no listings on the Helsinki Stock Exchange (Hex) in 2007 as bank loans are still relatively cheap and trade sales are seen by private-equity houses as a less onerous and time-consuming way of exiting than an initial public offering (IPO).

Romanian and Bulgarian outfits beat international newcomers in the real estate boom

Watered down and not enough for critics

How leveraged finance terms have been affected differently by the credit crunch

Customised index platforms give issuers a way to stand out from the crowd

It's easy to structure a covered bond, even without specific legislation. Here's how