Maybank

Malaysia’s Eco World International is in the process of lining up five or six cornerstone investors for its summer listing, a source close to the deal told GlobalCapital Asia.

A pair of investment grade issuers, Maybank and JD.com, ventured into the dollar bond market on Friday albeit with quite different trades.

John Fei, chief executive for Hong Kong and China at Maybank Kim Eng’s Hong Kong arm, has ambitious plans. He wants it to break into the city’s top 15 investment banks, he told GlobalCapital Asia in a recent interview.

The Government of Malaysia flexed its muscles as one of Asia’s biggest Islamic bond issuers this week, brushing off noises over a political scandal and volatile oil prices to raise $1.5bn.

Bond investors woke up to a pair of investment grade Asian issuers on Wednesday with the government of Malaysia seeking bids for a dual-tranche wakala sukuk and BoC Aviation looking to close a conventional 10 year.

Maybank Kim Eng’s Hong Kong arm is eyeing opportunities in Greater China to push it closer towards its ambitions. John Fei, CEO for Hong Kong and China, told GlobalCapital Asia that the firm is not only looking to break into the ranks of the city’s top 15 investment banks but also wants to be among the top 20 brokerages.

Maybank is contemplating issuing a tier two note in dollars with the Malaysian lender set to go on the road to gauge investor interest next week.

Malaysia's Maybank has priced its latest $400m five year bullet loan tightly at 95bp over dollar Libor, launching the deal into general syndication last week.

Sukuk investors are getting ready to welcome Malaysia's dollar offering, with the sovereign hiring four banks to organise a global roadshow.

Maybank opened its $400m five year bullet loan to retail participation on Thursday after expanding the mandated lead arranger and bookrunner group.

Eco World International has obtained approval from the Securities Commission Malaysia for its IPO, which is expected to raise $500m by the middle of this year.

Commodities trader Gunvor Singapore, which had been talking to banks since February about refinancing debt, has launched its latest $750m borrowing.