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In the competitive Antipodean marketplace, one bank continues to stand above the rest. For maintaining a clear league table lead and dazzling with its ability to raise funds in multiple formats and currencies, JP Morgan is again IFR Asia’s Australia/New Zealand Bond House of the Year.
In a vastly improved market, one bank reinforced its reputation as the go-to arranger for Australian-dollar issuance. For the breadth and depth of its coverage, and for outperforming both local and international peers, ANZ is IFR Asia’s Australia/New Zealand Domestic Bond House of the Year.
In a year marked by domestic reforms and record offshore volumes, one bank emerged as the underwriter of choice for Chinese clients, with an enviable record in new products and international fundraisings. For capturing opportunities both at home and overseas, ICBC is IFR Asia’s China Bond House of the Year.
In a volatile year, and with confidence in China’s economic growth waning, one bank’s expertise helped numerous companies raise valuable equity capital. For its work in generating demand from non-traditional IPO sources, CICC is IFR Asia’s China Equity House of the Year.
The Dim Sum market cooled during the review period with volumes down and yields up, but one bank did more than any other arranger to promote the market. For putting offshore renminbi bonds on a far more sustainable footing, HSBC is IFR Asia’s Dim Sum Bond House of the Year.
In a year when blue-chip clients were turning their backs on the loan market in favour of low-cost bonds, one bank ensured that syndicated loans remained relevant in Hong Kong. For finding new borrowers and leading a rare leveraged buyout, Standard Chartered is IFR Asia’s Hong Kong Loan House of the Year.
In a year full of uncertainty, getting any big deal done in the Hong Kong market was an achievement, let alone pricing one at a premium to the last traded price. For its perfect timing, meticulous planning and flawless execution, AIA’s US$2bn block trade is IFR Asia’s Hong Kong Capital Markets Deal of the Year.
With corporate bond volumes rising by more than 50% in the rupee market, banks’ pricing and distribution skills were put to the test. For leading key trends, providing consistent solutions and supporting issuers with its balance sheet where necessary, Axis Bank is IFR Asia’s India Bond House of the Year.
Even as policy paralysis dented Indian loan market volumes, one bank consistently delivered smart solutions for issuers. For executing the year’s biggest deals and constantly providing effective solutions for the country’s local borrowers, SBI Capital Markets is IFR Asia’s India Loan House of the Year.
A challenging economy and the threat of a sovereign downgrade meant that Indian issuers found it difficult to access new investors. For finding new pockets of demand and showing the Singapore market is open for business, Indian Oil Corp’s S$400m 10-year bond is IFR Asia’s India Capital Markets Deal of the Year.
Easing covenants on an unrated Indonesian borrower would be a tough sell at any time, let alone in a high-yield market that had been closed for six months. For reopening the market with a complex refinancing, Cikarang Listrindo’s US$500m bond is IFR Asia’s Indonesian Capital Markets Deal of the Year.
Malaysia’s bond market enjoyed a record year, and banks needed first-rate execution skills to keep up. For its clear edge in distribution, its solid market read, and for daring to venture into untested waters with innovative products, CIMB is IFR Asia’s Malaysia Bond House of the Year.
Malaysia was an unlikely hub of activity in a slow year for IPO issuance, and one bank was perfectly placed to capitalise. For lifting the market to new heights and attracting both international and domestic investors, CIMB is IFR Asia’s Malaysia Equity House of the Year.
The dual listing of a South-East Asian hospital operator between Malaysia and Singapore set a landmark in a busy year for the region’s equity capital markets. For flawless execution of a complex trade, IHH Healthcare’s M$6.73bn (US$2.2bn) IPO is IFR Asia’s Malaysia Capital Markets Deal of the Year.
Global sentiment towards the Philippines improved during the year, but efforts to improve stock market liquidity yielded only mixed results. For proving that a big listing is possible in a thinly traded market, GT Capital’s US$456m IPO is IFR Asia’s Philippines Capital Markets Deal of the Year.
In a year when Asia’s local currency markets came into their own, the Singapore-dollar bond market stood out for its depth and sophistication. For branching out into high-yield instruments, extending maturities and bringing rare credits to market, DBS Bank is IFR Asia’s Singapore Bond House of the Year.
In a year when Singapore’s IPO market lost some of its buzz to Malaysia, a foreign bank also stole the thunder from the local lenders. For managing IPOs across multiple sectors and showcasing a number of different structures, HSBC is IFR Asia’s Singapore Equity House of the Year.
As refinancing needs waned in Singapore, new money deals stemming from M&A transactions and real estate trusts helped mitigate a big drop in loan volumes. For its leading role in supporting these transactions and for bringing foreign borrowers to the Singapore market, DBS Bank is IFR Asia’s Singapore Loan House of the Year.
In a frantic year for investment-grade debt, one deal showed just what was possible for a top Asian issuer. For a deal that smashed through the Korean sovereign and forced a re think of risk pricing, Samsung’s US$1bn five-year bond is IFR Asia’s South Korea Capital Markets Deal of the Year.
Since 2011, overseas borrowers have noted the abundant liquidity in Taiwan and banks have been bringing deals to be syndicated there. For winning global business, and introducing a variety of structures to the domestic market, Chinatrust Commercial Bank is IFR Asia’s Taiwan Loan House of the Year.
In a tough year for both equity and convertible bonds, pricing both securities successfully at the same time was not a simple task. For boldly executing concurrent trades with perfect timing, TPK’s US$466m combination is IFR Asia’s Taiwan Capital Markets Deal of the Year.
As Thailand’s bond market reached new heights, one top underwriter played an instrumental role in the most innovative deals. For finding the right solutions for clients and helping to take the local market to another level, Siam Commercial Bank is IFR Asia’s Thailand Bond House of the Year.
An ambitious acquisition spurred multiple financings in Thailand’s oil-and-gas sector and led to the country’s first corporate hybrid. For its smart application of a novel structure, PTT Exploration and Production’s Bt5bn 5.85% perpetual is IFR Asia’s Thailand Capital Markets Deal of the Year.
Having pioneered Vietnam’s first international CB offering three years ago, one property developer braved rocky markets to return this year. For the intelligent timing, structure and issue size, Vingroup’s US$185m CB and subsequent US$115m retap is IFR Asia’s Vietnam Capital Markets Deal of the Year.