Gender top of the agenda for ADB
Asian Development Bank says its gender-bond Kangaroo is part of its efforts to develop a public-market presence for this type of funding as the projects it is seeking to fund grow. Accelerating gender equality is one of the supranational’s long-term operational priorities and it is increasingly possible to align this goal with funding.
AGN backs domestic market in public debt return
Australian Gas Networks (AGN) says the positive response parent company Australian Gas Infrastructure Group received to a 2020 domestic transaction encouraged its own return – and says it is likely to be back for more in 2021. AGN’s 22 April deal was its first in the Australian dollar market since 2014.
Kāinga Ora finds a window to return to syndicated issuance
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities became the latest Australasian government-sector issuer to take advantage of calmer market conditions with its 20 April pricing of a syndicated tap. The new deal is the issuer’s first syndicated issuance since September last year – a period in which is has also introduced a monthly tender programme.
APRA urged to go beyond voluntary guidelines in climate-change risk assessment
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority released its draft prudential practice guide on climate-change financial risks for consultation on 22 April, setting out voluntary prudential management related to governance, risk management, scenario analysis and disclosure. Some industry participants are urging the regulator to use this as a first step to mandatory risk disclosure.
BOQ scores tight tier-two print as group works through ME acquisition
Bank of Queensland printed a new tier-two deal on 21 April, its first foray into public debt markets since it announced the acquisition of ME Bank. BOQ says the deal was for standard capital-management purposes and that the capital composition of the combined entity is still being worked through, but adds a senior-unsecured market return may not be far off.