UK

German telecoms and internet company United Internet has issued one of the largest Schuldschein deals this year, raising €750m according to market sources, more than doubling its initial target of €300m.

The UK published its green financing framework on Wednesday as it prepares to roll out its much anticipated green Gilt programme, with at least £15bn of issuance in the format expected over the course of the 2021/22 fiscal year.

Thomas Schneider, head of European corporate loans at Allianz Global Investors, is set to retire at the end of July.

Urban Logistics Reit, the London-listed real estate investment trust focused on logistical properties, is tapping investors for £108m of fresh capital as it gears up to acquire further assets.

Credito Emiliano managed to attract a robust order book for its €750m seven year covered bond that was sold on Wednesday, following an extended marketing period that enabled price discovery. At the same time Coventry Building Society mandated leads for only the second UK covered bond in euros to be issued this year.

UK listed construction materials manufacturer Breedon has closed £250m-equivalent worth of US private placements in euros and sterling, according to market sources.

Bridgepoint, the UK-based private equity group, is vying to join the small but elite group of listed private equity companies, having revealed plans for an IPO on Tuesday morning.

Citi has appointed two co-heads of EMEA consumer products investment banking in London and a head of global luxury investment banking in Milan.

Wells Fargo hires Marriott from NatWest Markets — Créd Ag MD to join BNP Paribas SSA desk — SEB SSA DCM head off to New York — AFT hires funding official from Crédit Foncier — Citi promotes CEEMEA debt bankers — HSBC AM adds EM debt portfolio manager — EM seller heads from Credit Suisse to Barclays — Deutsche Bank hires head of US CLO syndication from JPM — Senior securitized product banker leaves Barclays — USSIM poaches BlackRock head of European ABS — Together treasurer departs for Pepper — Barclays poaches from JP Morgan for real estate IB push — Barclays hires from MS for head of Nordic banking

While the Schuldschein market has embraced ESG-linked financing, participants fear a lack of transparency around key performance indicators is an opportunity for greenwashing. The launch of a sustainability-linked deal Zeppelin, which traces its roots to the fabled aviation name, has heightened fears around market practices.

Barclays has poached a leading real estate investment banker from JP Morgan in a move rivals say could lead to shift in banking relationships.

Round Hill Music Royalty Fund, the London-listed investment trust focused on song royalty streams, said on Thursday it intends to launch a share sale to finance its $120m forward pipeline of acquisitions.