ZKB opens Swiss market, BLKB jumps into its slipstream

Zürcher Kantonalbank (ZKB), in accordance with recent tradition, was the first canton off the blocks, opening the Swiss market with a Sfr240m ($246m) 10 year bond on Wednesday. Basellandschaftliche Kantonalbank (BLKB) was quick to follow, printing a Sfr300m nine year bond an hour later. A lack of issuance at the tail end of 2017 has buoyed the market, leaving participants hopeful of additional cash to put to work in the new year.