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With growth across the continent at a standstill, the market’s focus is on developing non-bank alternatives to channel funds to where they’re needed most

VakifBank’s benchmark programme is the latest step for Turkey’s maturing capital markets

Agustin Martin Calmarza, head of European Credit Research & covered bonds at BBVA, assesses the characteristic of different covered bond regimes and how the instrument are becoming a global asset class

China’s courtship of Latin America has gathered pace. And the best is yet to come

Are investor protections in European high-yield notes being eroded?

The latest regulation approved by the Monetary Board of Guatemala is contained in its resolution JM-43-2013. It provides for new rules in order to perform activities in Guatemala by banking or financial offshore entities, in the process eliminating the previous rules provided for in resolution JM-285-2002. The new regulation was prepared by the Superintendency of Banks, and proposed to the highest ranking authority in the financial system of the country. It became effective on April 19 2013, as a consequence of some important amendments introduced last year to the Law for Banks and Financial Groups – Decree 19-2002 of Congress – (known here simply as the Act), adding higher prudential standards in regard to the collection of monies and the opening and maintenance of deposit accounts in such institutions.

Benedikt Maurenbrecher, Dieter Grünblatt and Stefan Kramer of Homburger on Swiss law’s two different yet complementary concepts of covered bonds

Managing director Clare Dawson explains the ins and outs of the Association’s new suite of developing market loan documentation

Banji Adenusi In April 2013, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) launched the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM) as a parallel market to its main bourse – having rebranded the second tier securities market. The aim of the ASeM is to provide small and medium-scale enterprises and emerging businesses with a platform to access and raise long-term capital. Further to the launch, the NSE has updated its Green Book, which details the requirements for listing on the ASeM. What is most notable about the ASeM, however, is the flexibility it offers by way of less stringent regulations than would have been available to companies listed on the main bourse, such as the absence of a requirement for capitalisation or shareholders equity. It is important to note that the ASeM is only accessible to publicly-held companies, with such companies having a minimum of two years' operating track record. One key introduction, targeted at ensuring conformity with international best accounting practices and management control, is the requirement that companies listing on the ASeM adopt the international financial reporting standards. The rule book further requires that the company offers 15% of its share capital to the public and be held by not less than 51 shareholders, with a lock-up period of 12 months post-listing, in which the promoters and directors of the company are required to hold a minimum of 50% of their shares held pre-listing in the company, where the listing is in connection with an initial public offering. In addition to this, the company is required to have a designated adviser, whose main responsibility is to ensure that the company meets all disclosure requirements in the ASeM rules.

Notice No 002/2013-AMCM of the Monetary Authority of Macau (AMCM), which supersedes Notice No 6/93-AMCM dated September 1, entered into force on January 28 2013. It was enacted by the AMCM pursuant to section 6, paragraph 3a) of the Financial System Act (FSA) of Macau.