Sweden’s FSA and National Debt Office have questioned the rationale behind proposals from the Riksbank that would tighten its rules on the use of covered bonds as repo collateral, and disputed that certain structural risks and vulnerabilities are not reflected in covered bonds’ ratings.
Swedbank used a clear window to sell a tightly priced Eu750m long five year senior unsecured bond yesterday (Thursday), with conditions proving resilient over the week and investors receptive to issuance from across the capital structure.
As always around this time of year, the focus of investors and issuers – as well as analysts – starts to shift towards their expectations for the coming year, writes Florian Eichert, head of covered bond and SSA research at Crédit Agricole CIB.
Realkredit Danmark (RD) took the unprecedented step of cutting a three year covered bond auction from Dkr2.72bn to Dkr1.90bn (Eu255m) on Wednesday, citing dissatisfaction with orders for the sale, although the bulk of the week’s issuance was relatively smooth.
OP Mortgage Bank set the tone for a strong week in the covered bond market with a Eu1.25bn five year issue on Monday that attracted orders approaching Eu1.8bn at a limited new issue premium, with Stadshypotek and Danske Bank Finland following successfully in its wake.
Moody’s has improved its outlook on the Swedish banking system from negative to stable, citing the positive impact of strong economic growth on asset quality and profitability, but the rating agency also warned of the consequences of a housing boom.
Nykredit Realkredit attracted more than Eu2bn of demand for a Eu800m 12 year non-call seven Tier 2 issue on Tuesday, taking advantage of the reopening of the subordinated debt market after having announced its third quarter results last week.
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB) sold an inaugural sterling covered bond yesterday (Thursday), a £250m (Eu353m, Skr3.29bn) three year FRN, and the issuer’s head of treasury management said that it would now look to return to the UK market each year.
SpareBank 1 Boligkreditt amassed a book of over Eu1.7bn for a Eu1.5bn three year covered bond yesterday (Thursday) that bankers said showed strong demand for shorter dated paper, with the Norwegian deal standing out amid a slew of five to seven year supply as the equal-largest three year of 2015.
Nordea attracted over Eu4.5bn of demand for a “blowout” Eu750m (Skr7bn) 10 year non-call five Tier 2 issue on Monday that bankers said showed the market is wide open, but expectations for further supply next week are modest after only one Tier 2 deal followed.