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THE REPUBLIC of Hungary this week led the central European charge into the euro bond sector, with the launch of a Eu500m 10 year issue via DG Bank and JP Morgan. The landmark issue, which marked its own-name debut in the international bond markets, is the first of a series of euro denominated debt offerings from the region, which has thrown off the effects of Russian contagion and proved largely immune to Brazilian fever.

THE SHAPE of the euro-denominated bond markets became clearer this week as issuers across the credit spectrum offered liquid transactions and investors began a sustained period of outright buying of securities in the new single currency.

WHO SHOT Euromarket megastar Seth Waugh? What happened to the Merrill Lynch capital markets genius who was considered by his fan club to have more sex appeal than Warren Beatty and Brad Pitt combined?

India Industrial Development Bank of India is tapping the market for a five year $100m bullet loan through co-ordinating arranger ANZ Investment Bank.

* Credit Suisse Group Finance (Guernsey) Ltd Guarantor: Credit Suisse Group

TOKHEIM, the world's largest manufacturer of fuel dispensing systems, this week launched a dual currency euro/dollar transaction, making it the first high yield issue to be launched in the new European currency since its introduction. The BT Alex Brown-led transaction was priced on Tuesday. The $123m tranche emerged with a coupon of 11.375% at a spread of 670bp over Treasuries while the Eu75m transaction was launched with a coupon of 11.375% and at a spread of 773bp over Bunds. Both issues mature in August 2008.

BANK OF New York, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Banque Nationale de Paris, Generale and Greenwich NatWest have won the coveted mandate to arrange the refinancing of Agricultural Bank of Greece's Eu250m one year revolving credit and a Eu250m uncommitted tender panel facility. The same five banks arranged last year's deal, also a Eu250m one year revolver. While the outcome of the arranging beauty contest has surprised few in the market, the deal's margin of 17.5bp over Libor has proved a shock to many bankers.

* Commerzbank Global Equities has appointed Jonathan Lee and Christopher Rigg to its research team. Lee, pan-European telecoms analyst, joins from CA-IB Investmentbank where he was head of telecoms research, primarily covering emerging European telecoms operators. Rigg, Japanese strategist, joins from Rothschild Asset Management in Hong Kong, where he was director and chief investment officer responsible for asset managers investing $1.3bn in Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong and India.

THE REPUBLIC of Turkey's decision to become the first sovereign borrower to launch a legacy currency bond since the launch of the euro paid off handsomely this week. The B1/B rated sovereign gained a highly enthusiastic reception for its DM750m 9.25% four year transaction.

Standard Bank has been mandated by Primedia Group, South Africa's largest communications and media group, to arrange a $50m acquisition facility for UK and European targets. The acquisitions will be made through a special purpose borrowing vehicle, Primedia International Jersey, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Primedia Group.

AMSTERDAM-based cable TV company United Pan-European Communications (UPC), amended its SEC filing this week, announcing a pricing range of Eu24-Eu27 for its upcoming IPO. The range values the flotation at around Eu1bn or $1.18bn, higher than the $650m amount originally expected. In addition to increasing the size of the institutional offering -- from $650m to $800m -- on the back of strong market conditions, Microsoft is also to make a $300m investment in the company.