World Bank tests web distribution

Amount: $3 billion

Type of issue: Five-year global bond

Launched: Launched January 18 2000

Bookrunner: Goldman Sachs

Which borrower was the first to conduct a bond issue over the internet? Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ford Motor Credit all used the internet on large bond deals last month. The EIB conducted an online auction last year. The World Bank’s claim to the title is that its $3 billion five-year global, launched last month but announced at the start of the year, was the first bond issue where the entire syndicate could sell over the internet.