SCBC launched the first euro benchmark covered bond of the year from Sweden on Tuesday, attracting EUR1.4bn of orders for a EUR1bn (SEK9.28bn) five year, and bankers said the high quality issue appealed to risk-off investors after volatility had returned to financial markets.

The Central Bank of Savings Banks Finland sold its second public bond issue on Tuesday, choosing what proved to be a slim window of stability to print a €250m two year senior unsecured FRN that the bank’s head of treasury said will fund a mortgage bank the group is establishing.

Pohjola Bank executed the first Nordic senior unsecured euro benchmark of 2016 on Wednesday, a €500m long five year deal that the Finnish issuer’s head of group funding said was sold with a relatively limited new issue premium.

A DNB €1.5bn five year covered bond attracted over €2bn of demand yesterday (Thursday) as eight euro benchmarks totalling €8.5bn hit the market this week, with the asset class proving resilient amid tough conditions, although a SR-Boligkreditt deal was seen as a struggle.

The Association of Swedish Covered Bond issuers (ASCB) has criticised the proposition that harmonisation of covered bond frameworks, as outlined in a European Commission paper, would be beneficial, as market participants responded to the consultation ahead of an originally-scheduled deadline of Wednesday.

Nordea Eiendomskreditt attracted £425m of orders for a £400m (€545m) three year floating rate  covered bond on Wednesday, which, alongside similar issues for Lloyds beforehand and Bank of Nova Scotia afterwards, bankers said shows sterling to be an attractive option for issuers.