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Structured note sellers had high hopes that property-linked pay-offs would be a big revenue generator in the UK. However, recent real estate upheavals have cast a dark cloud over the market.

Amid all the bad news surrounding the world’s best-known banks, one institution can hold its head high after its latest results.

Argentina’s asset-backed securities market shows no sign of slowing down but the sub-prime crisis has killed off the country’s nascent mortgage-backed securities market.

Six months into a credit crunch there are few signs of an improving outlook for non-government bond markets. It is a signal equity investors would do well to heed.

ABCP conduits suffered a reputational battering as a result of last summer’s liquidity freeze in the commercial paper market. However, if events in Mexico are anything to go by the concept has survived. In late February, Deutsche Bank was poised to launch the first Latin American ABCP conduit in Mexico, a diversified multi-seller vehicle dubbed Aztlan. Named after the mythical place of origin of the Aztec people, Aztlan has been set up to invest in various peso-denominated receivable pools, including trade receivables, future flow receivables, mortgage loans and consumer loans. Crucially, given the problems that this and the structured investment vehicle sector have wrestled with over the past six months, the conduit is supported by a 100% liquidity facility from Deutsche Bank. "I think that one of the most compelling features about this structure, unlike an extendible programme or a SIV programme, is that this conduit is afforded a traditional liquidity facility," says Alberto Santos, a senior director at Fitch Ratings. "The lack of liquidity facilities was at the forefront of the funding issues experienced during the second half of 2007. The structural features within this conduit, including the liquidity agreement, are expected to mitigate market disruption or timing risk for this conduit. Typically, liquidity facilities can be used to pay maturing commercial paper or to cover timing mismatch between assets and liabilities of a multi-seller asset-backed commercial paper conduit."

Credit Suisse is building its investment banking presence in the Andes. The Swiss house is adding an executive in Bogotá and is on the lookout for a person in Lima to bolster client coverage. The group has been aggressive in the region for the past 12 months and wants to consolidate its position. Credit Suisse took part in a series of high-profile deals in 2007, including the $2.8 billion privatization IPO of Ecopetrol, as well as deals for some first-time issuers such as Peruvian fishmeal company Copeinca.

Citi has hired Jaime Yordan to head its Latin American banking business. Yordan comes to the bank from CDK, a New York alternative investment fund, where he was advisory director. At Citi he will be vice-chairman of global banking for Latin America, reporting to Manuel Medina Mora, chairman and CEO of the business. He will also report to Raymond McGuire and Alberto Verme, co-heads of investment banking.

Best-managed LATAM companies: High standards are the exception

Julius Baer plans to undertake an IPO of its US asset management business later this year, aiming to raise $1 billion. According to filings with the SEC, the US arm also intends to launch hedge fund and private equity vehicles. Its private equity funds will focus on central and eastern Europe.

Going up

Mid-East equity capital market volumes

New Bramdean fund looks to bring new players to alternatives.