In July, ASA International became the first microfinance institution to publicly list in Europe. We explore the Group’s story to date and explain why microlending is becoming so attractive to mainstream investors. 

We.trade comes to life,and is open to all banks

Union Bancaire Privée (UBP) has hired Marc Basselier as head of convertible bonds, a product that looks to offer investors some diversification as the global credit cycle turns away from cheap money. 

New markets in the EMEA region are opening up apace in the depositary receipts market, but China remains the looming driving force behind activity.

Following a landmark transaction from Viathan, backed by InfraCredit, local currency infrastructure bonds are becoming more attractive to long-term investors. 

The Middle East’s bond machine has started rolling this year with major issuance from fixed income darling Saudi Arabia, and analysts reckon the region is set for a decent year in the capital markets. 

A three year, US$300mn E&S transaction provides a financial incentive to improve environmental and social practices across the Ghanaian cocoa industry. 

Dutch development bank FMO printed its first ever green bond in the first quarter, with the deal helping promote the nascent offshore US dollar green market. 

Financial messaging firm Swift has picked long term employee Javier Pérez-Tasso as its new chief executive officer, at a time of unprecedented change in the cross border payments industry.

Raiffeisen Bank International has released its own digital platform for Schuldschein, amid a flurry of bank-backed electronic processing offerings being launched into the market.

Telecoms company Vodafone stunned the markets in the first quarter with what looked to be the ultimate prize in corporate finance – a deal that at first glance seems to let the company raise significant debt without diminishing any of its existing credit or equity metrics. But while investors poured money into the deal, the ratings agencies kicked back. 

At a time when the Lebanese government is pushing for ambitious green reforms, the EBRD and Bank Audi have committed US$200mn in funding for private renewable energy projects.