Kookmin Bank

We are setting out the rationale for the choices made in our Country Awards. In Korea, there were clear winners in the local and international categories.

ONGC and Kookmin collectively raise $2b, while Sumitomo Mitsui markets a multi-tranche dollar-denominated note and Bank of Baroda reopens a tap.

The Korean bank’s latest dollar bond offers attractive returns when compared to existing comparables but only if pricing doesn’t tighten excessively.

GS Caltex is marketing a dollar deal, while Kookmin Bank and Korea Gas have hired banks for potential offerings as dollar issuance hits a YTD record.

Amid concerns over rising rates and a liquidity crunch in China, some 15 deals have been put on hold or shelved, according to bankers.

Asian borrowers are kept at bay as bond spreads widen.

China Merchants Bank to offer new social credit card, while Bank Mandiri orders 40,000 new payment terminals.

Citi appoints Munir Nanji to vacant Asia-Pacific bank services group head position.

KB Financial Group makes use of a steep share price gain to complete the placement, but faces an immediate sell-off as stockmarkets react negatively to a decision not to bail out the US carmakers.