KiwiSaver change fuels fixed income debate
Debate is ongoing about the potential impact of New Zealand’s upcoming KiwiSaver reform. Some traders and investors are questioning the market’s ability to digest the resulting activity when funds shift into more equity-focused balanced strategies, though others are confident the impact will be negligible.
Flexibility to the forefront as finance grapples with D&I
Diversity and inclusion is fast shifting from an aspiration to a core strategy, as companies across industries engage more deeply with the value of a diverse workforce. In October, KangaNews hosted an ANZ-sponsored roundtable, bringing together a range of female leaders to explore some of the challenges of elevating women and the risks firms face should they ignore the value of diversity.
Read more: Flexibility to the forefront as finance grapples with D&I
New Zealand to enter sovereign green-bond market
The New Zealand government has announced plans to commence issuing sovereign green bonds, with the first transaction slated for late 2022. New Zealand Debt Management says green bonds will become an “important and enduring part of the New Zealand government bond portfolio” alongside nominal and inflation-linked issuance.
Auckland Council reaps euro pricing benefit from regular-issuer status
Auckland Council issued its first green bond in the euro market, as the second-ever New Zealand-based issuer to do so. As well as the green label, the borrower says its commitment to returning to market enabled it to price in line with international peers.
Read more: Auckland Council reaps euro pricing benefit from regular-issuer status
A return to normal funding operations: Westpac
Westpac Banking Corporation printed a bumper US$5.5 billion transaction on 8 November, a move it says continues its return to pre-pandemic term-funding operations. The deal comes as the market works through recent changes to the Australian banking complex’s funding dynamics.