Search results for

Jay Lee of Simmons & Simmons explains why new Safe rules permitting guarantees for offshore offerings may change how the popular support mechanism is used

Outbound investment soared last year. Several government initiatives – including the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank – mean 2015 could see even more activity

Opportunistic investors are beating a path to the region. But differences in company structures and judicial opposition will ensure the journey won’t be easy

Elias Neocleous The Investment Services and Activities and Regulated Markets Law, Law 144(I) of 2007, requires Cyprus Investment Firms (CIFs) that hold clients' funds to take every possible measure to protect their clients' interests. The Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC) issued detailed guidance to CIFs regarding these obligations in 2012 in its Directive DI144-2007-01, which requires CIFs to have adequate arrangements in place to minimise the risk of loss or diminution of clients' assets as a result of misuse, fraud, poor administration, inadequate record keeping or negligence. CySEC has recently issued a reminder to CIFs that maintain a merchant account for the clearing or settlement of payment transactions that any such merchant account must be completely segregated and may not be used by anyone other than the CIF. Under no circumstances may CIFs' merchant accounts be used by connected persons or third parties, as this does not provide the required degree of segregation and protection of client funds.

Diego Alejos Rivera The market for securities and commodities in Guatemala operates within the legal framework provided by the Securities and Commodities Market Act. The regulation contained in this Act established the playing field in which securities and commodities are negotiated as well as setting out the parameters through which key players in the market behave. Although the Securities and Commodities Market Act is 18 years old and was amended once in 2008, the market remains undeveloped in Guatemala, as the negotiation of securities through public or private placements is limited. To counteract this, the Monetary Board is seeking to pass a new law, which will regulate the market and its players. The Monetary Board through this bill seeks to facilitate the integration and eventual development of the market in Guatemala by substantially modernising the legislation.

Banji Adenusi To address liquidity challenges in the Nigerian electricity supply industry, and create an economically viable and sustainable sector, the Nigerian Central Bank recently issued terms and conditions to deposit money banks for participation in the Nigerian Electricity Market Sector Facility (CBN-NESMF). This follows the handover of the Nigerian utility company, PHCN, to successor companies. The N213 billion ($1 billion) facility, with a 10-year tenor and 12-month moratorium period on the principal amount, is designed to settle outstanding payment obligations to market participants, service providers and gas suppliers in the Nigerian electricity market (beneficiaries), and will be warehoused in an SPV set up by the apex bank and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and under administration and management of an asset manager. As expected, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) will refinance the facility by repaying the lenders in proportion to their stated commitment as defined in the various transaction documents, with the Central Bank subscribing to debenture notes issued by the SPV in the total sum of the facility amount. Of crucial importance is the role played by the banks and their designation in relation to their functions. Yet, what is common to all is the responsibility of ensuring the reasonable protection of the best interests of the SPV.

Rashid Bahar The Federal Council opened on November 28 2014 a consultation on a major modernisation of Swiss corporate law. The draft bill aims, on the one hand, to implement on a statutory level the requirements of article 95 (3) of the federal constitution resulting from the so-called fat-cat initiative that was adopted. On the other, it aims to re-initiate a series of reforms that were launched in 2007, but that were put on hold shortly after to focus on the fat-cat initiative. As the consultation period closes, we consider the key proposals of the draft bill. Overall, the draft bill on the modernisation of Swiss corporate law is a vast one, covering a diverse range of issues; some pundits have called it a mammoth bill.

Hogan Lovells' Lewis Cohen and Edgard Alvarez, with Sairah Burki of Structured Finance Industry Group, explain why the adoption of a HQS label could spell trouble for transactions that don’t meet the label requirements

What will be the biggest hurdle to implementing the new loss-absorbency requirement? Vote now

Asia’s debt markets are deepening, and banks are hoping to capitalise on that growth. Panellists at a recent ICMA event warned against competing for deals based on regulatory laxity