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☆ UN chief says global finance system fragmenting; Myanmar crisis worsens
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/4] UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaks during his bilateral meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023. In a wide-ranging speech that touched on geopolitical tension, multilateral development finance and climate change, Guterres called on world leaders to find peaceful and inclusive solutions to the challenges facing the world. He also voiced support for re-channelling an additional $100 billion of International Monetary Fund's Special Drawing Rights through multilateral development banks to increase liquidity and support developing economies' needs. At a Paris summit in June this year, world leaders backed a push for multilateral development banks like the World Bank to put more capital at risk to boost lending. ASEAN leaders are set to hold talks with the United Nations later on Thursday.

Persons: General Antonio Guterres, Joko Widodo, Tatan, António Guterres, Rich, Ajay Banga, Guterres, Stanley Widianto, Kanupriya Kapoor, Robert Birsel Organizations: UN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Monetary, Bank, World Bank, United Nations, Thomson Locations: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rights JAKARTA, China, United States, Paris, Myanmar, ASEAN

☆ Gabon dollar-denominated bonds slide after military says it seized power
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON/Johannesburg, Aug 30 (Reuters) - Gabon's dollar-denominated bonds fell by more than 13 cents on Wednesday after the military said it had seized power in the west African nation, according to Tradeweb data. The 2025 maturity fell the most, by 13.238 cents on the dollar to 79.673 cents at 0724 GMT. A group of senior military officers in Gabon claimed to have seized power in the early hours of Wednesday, minutes after the Central African state's election body announced that President Ali Bongo had won a third term. Gabon completed a $436 million "debt for nature" swap earlier this month, where it exchanged parts of the 2025 and 2031 Eurobonds for a "blue bond" maturing in 2038. Reporting By Libby George and Rachel Savage; Editing by Amanda Cooper and Conor HumphriesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ali Bongo, Libby George, Rachel Savage, Amanda Cooper, Conor Humphries Organizations: Central African, U.S . Development Finance Corporation, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, Gabon

☆ What is BRICS, which countries want to join and why?
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

All the BRICS countries are part of the Group of 20 (G20) of major economies. WHICH NATIONS WANT TO JOIN BRICS AND WHY? It has received backing from Russia and Brazil to join the BRICS. Bolivia's President Luis Arce has expressed interest in BRICS membership and is expected to attend the summit. Algeria said in July it has applied for BRICS membership and to become a shareholder in the New Development Bank, the so-called BRICS Bank.

Persons: Commerce Wang, Competition Ebrahim Patel, Goldman Sachs, Jim O'Neill, Luis Arce, Bhargav Acharya, Olivia Kumwenda, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Commerce, Africa's, Trade, Industry, Competition, of Trade, Economic, United Nations, World Bank, of, Petroleum, WHO, Democratic, U.S, New Development Bank, BRICS Bank, Thomson Locations: South Africa, China, JOHANNESBURG, Brazil, Russia, India, Johannesburg, United States, United, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Algeria, Bolivia, Indonesia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Cuba, Democratic Republic of Congo, Comoros, Gabon, Kazakhstan, Cape Town

☆ Gabon Joins Blue Bond Wave With $500 Million Debt Refinancing
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Will Horner | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

Gabon completed mainland Africa’s first-ever “debt-for-nature swap” Tuesday, refinancing $500 million of its debt and earmarking $163 million in savings for marine conservation, the latest in a burgeoning list of “blue bond” deals. In their place, Gabon issued a $500 million blue bond which matures in 2038. The coupon on the new blue bond was priced at 6.097%, lower than the coupons on the repaid bonds which were between 6.625%-7%. TNC says its blue bond deals have provided $400 million toward conservation efforts. Bank of America, which served as sole initial purchaser, structuring agent and bookrunner on the Gabon deal, declined to reveal its transaction fees.

Persons: Gabon’s, Bond, ”, Ali Bongo Ondimba, TNC wasn’t, Scott Nathan, TNC, Will Horner Organizations: —, Sustainable Business, Moody’s Investors Service, U.S . International Development Finance Corporation, Conservancy, Greenpeace, Bank of America Locations: Gabon, Africa, U.S, Belize, Seychelles, Barbados, Ecuador, Galápagos, william.horner

☆ Yellen's Las Vegas stop shows Bidenomics can be a tough sell
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLAS VEGAS, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Daemein Hargrove, 21, recently dropped plans for a four-year college degree to sign up for an apprenticeship program in Las Vegas that he says has given him higher pay, good medical benefits and a pension. But he's also shouldering gas costs of $500 a month as he commutes to a massive solar site 45 minutes outside of Las Vegas. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's visit Monday to the Las Vegas training center where Hargrove and nearly 700 other apprentices are being paid to work and learn new skills raises some questions about Biden's approach. Yellen's trip to Las Vegas won praise from union leaders, but drew scant public or local media attention. Casey Harrison, a political reporter at the Las Vegas Sun, said the coverage reflected a lack of demand but also inadequate preparation by the administration.

Persons: Janet Yellen, Leah Millis, Daemein Hargrove, Joe Biden's, Hargrove, They're, he's, He's, Biden, Republican Donald Trump, Janet Yellen's, Casey Harrison, Harrison, it's, we've, Gina Raimondo, Deb Haaland, Yellen, what's, Barack Obama's, Rachelle Warren, Warren, It's, Andrea Shalal, Heather Timmons, Alistair Bell Organizations: Treasury, Development Finance, Strategic, International Studies, REUTERS, LAS VEGAS, U.S, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Republican, Democrats, Las Vegas, NBC, Las, Sun, U.S . Treasury, Reuters, Biden, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, Las Vegas, United States, Vegas, Nevada

☆ Electric vehicle premiums will ride high in India
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Pranav Kiran | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Mahindra Funster electric concept SUV is on display after it was unveiled at the India Auto Expo 2020 in Greater Noida, India, February 5, 2020. Singapore's Temasek handed Anand Mahindra’s EV business a punchy valuation of up to $9.8 billion this month. The $23 billion Mumbai-listed Mahindra & Mahindra (MAHM.NS) generates most of its top line from its sprawling autos business churning out everything from commercial vehicles to three wheelers. It follows the sale of up to 4.8% to British International Investments, the UK's development finance institution, at a $9.1 billion valuation in July last year. True, Temasek's valuation of the EV business depends on the latter hitting undisclosed milestones.

Persons: Kumar Rakesh, It’s, Maruti Suzuki, Una Galani, Katrina Hamlin Organizations: Mahindra, India, REUTERS, Reuters, Singapore's Temasek, Anand, Temasek, British International Investments, BNP, Tata Motors, TPG, HK, China’s MG Motors, Maruti, India’s, India’s Mahindra, British International Investment, Thomson Locations: Greater Noida, India, BENGALURU, Mumbai, China, EVs, Temasek

A view of logo of New Development Bank (NDB) at its headquarters in Shanghai, China July 10, 2023. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said boosting local currency usage among the NDB's members will also be on the agenda, with the aim of de-risking the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations rather than de-dollarisation. "Most countries that are members of the NDB have been encouraging (it) to provide loans in local currencies," Godongwana said. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsSo far, China is by far the NDB's most successful local currency market. GROWING MEMBERSHIPNevertheless, the NDB, established with $10 billion in paid-in share capital from each BRICS country, wants to expand.

Persons: Aly, Enoch Godongwana, Godongwana, Leslie Maasdorp, Maasdorp, Alexander Ekbom, Chris Humphrey, Humphrey, Rachel Savage, Brenda Goh, Tannur Anders, Vincent Flasseur, Karin Strohecker, Joe Bavier, Alexander Smith Organizations: New Development Bank, REUTERS, Reuters, Finance, Federal Reserve, Reuters Graphics Reuters, U.S ., United Arab, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Reuters Graphics, Overseas Development Institute, Thomson Locations: Shanghai, China, Africa, JOHANNESBURG, SHANGHAI, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, India, Johannesburg, Ukraine, United States, Mumbai, Brasilia, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Uruguay, Algeria, Honduras, Zimbabwe, Saudi Arabia, Asia, London

LONDON/JOHANNESBURG, July 25 (Reuters) - Gabon launched what is set to be Africa's first debt-for-nature swap on Tuesday, with a plan to buy up at least $450 million of its government debt and switch it to an eco-friendly blue bond. The February 2031 maturity rose 2.203 cents to 83.702 cents and November 2031 maturity jumped 2.129 cents to 83.573 cents, compared to Gabonese government's offer to buy back the bonds for 85 cents per $1 of the bond. ,The 2025 maturity rose 1.194 cents to 95.4 cents, also still below the offer price of 96.75 cents.. Ecuador pulled off a record $1.1 billion debt-for-nature swap in May, freeing up $18 million annually for the next 20 years for conservation of the Galapagos Islands. The African Development Bank and European Investment Bank are interested in providing credit guarantees.

Persons: Marc Jones, Rachel Savage, Gerauds Wilfried Obangome, Karin Strohecker, Ed Osmond, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: London Stock Exchange, Republic, Industry, U.S . International Development Finance Corporation, African Development Bank, European Investment Bank, Bank of America, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, Gabon, Gabonese, Ecuador, Belize, Galapagos, Sri Lanka, Indian, Libreville

☆ India is said to be an 'oasis' in the desert. Here are some sectors to watch for
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Major economies were hit by higher inflation during the Covid-19 pandemic, but India's inflation was already elevated. In June, India's inflation rate was 4.81%, which remains within the Reserve Bank of India's tolerance band of 2% to 6%. There is a paradigm shift and flight of capital from Indian households savings to equity to contribute to the India growth story," Azeez told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" last week. "So whichever way one looks at the economic numbers, India appears as an oasis in the global desert," he added. watch nowHowever, Matthew Asia's Mittal said that instead of buying into pharmaceutical companies, upstream companies such as Syngene will be a good investment opportunity.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Darren Robb, Feroze Azeez, Anand, Azeez, CNBC's, Nifty, it'll, Soumya Rajan, Peeyush Mittal, Nilesh Shah, Shah, Financials, Rajan, Waterfield's Rajan, We've, we've, Hindenburg, Matthews, Mittal, India's, Nestle, Kotak's Shah, Punit Paranjpe, Matthew Asia's Mittal Organizations: Bank, Getty, Wealth, Reserve Bank, Monetary Fund, Waterfield, Matthews Asia, CNBC, Mahindra Asset Management, IDFC, IDFC Ltd, HDFC Bank, Housing Development Finance Corporation, India's HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finance, Mahindra Finance, Nestle, World Bank, Nurphoto, Hindustan Unilever, Britannia Industries, Manufacturing Global, Godrej Aerospace, Afp Locations: India, United Kingdom, Japan, Mumbai, China, Nestle India, LuLu, Lulu, Kerala

☆ UBS says $100 mln blended finance initiative receives new backers
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Companies UBS Group AG FollowZURICH, July 20 (Reuters) - British and U.S. development finance organisations have agreed to be anchor investors in a new $100 million private-public finance initiative led by UBS' philanthropic arm and non-profit Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, UBS (UBSG.S) said on Thursday. Initial investments in the initiative, focused on delivering Sustainable Development Goal-aligned outcomes, would support government-backed initiatives to support education in Sierra Leone and Ghana, as well as a social enterprise to re-sell and recycle plastic waste in Nigeria, UBS said in a statement. Reporting by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi, Editing by Friederike HeineOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brenna Hughes, Friederike Heine Our Organizations: UBS Group, UBS, Thomson Locations: Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria

☆ India's HDFC Bank posts bigger-than-expected jump in Q1 profit
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MUMBAI, July 17 (Reuters) - HDFC Bank (HDBK.NS), India's largest private lender, on Monday reported a bigger-than-expected 30% jump in first-quarter profit, helped by higher net interest income (NII) and strong loan growth. The lender's standalone net profit was at 119.52 billion rupees ($1.46 billion), up from 91.96 billion rupees a year ago. HDFC's deposits have been transitioned into those of HDFC Bank beginning July 1, he said. HDFC had retail liabilities worth 1.3 trillion rupees and non-retail liabilities worth 390 billion rupees as on June 30, he added. Provisions and contingencies, or the funds set aside to cover loan losses, slipped 10.3% to 28.6 billion rupees.

Persons: HDFC, Srinivasan Vaidyanathan, Vaidyanathan, Bank's Organizations: HDFC Bank, Housing Development Finance Corp, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI

☆ India's IDFC First Bank says merger will boost credit growth
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

155 shares of IDFC First Bank will be alloted for 100 shares of IDFC according to an Indian media report. India's IDFC First Bank expects to see robust credit growth following its recent merger, according to managing director and CEO V. Vaidyanathan. Last week, IDFC First Bank said its board had approved its merger with IDFC Ltd. , the latest in a wave of consolidation in India's financial sector. "For India's credit market, let me say about a 15% credit growth would be a fair expectation in the near future. And for our bank, a 25% credit growth would be a fair expectation with stable asset quality."

Persons: India's, Vaidyanathan, CNBC's Organizations: IDFC, Bank, IDFC Ltd, HDFC Bank, Housing Development Finance Corporation Locations: Mumbai, India

☆ World Bank names CEOs to help bring private funds to climate, development finance
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( David Lawder | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, July 10 (Reuters) - The World Bank on Monday named 15 chief executive officers including financiers and asset managers to a group launched by the lender's president, Ajay Banga, aiming to marshal more private capital to combat climate change and boost investment in developing countries. Banga announced the initiative at a global finance summit in Paris last month alongside Mark Carney, the U.N. special envoy on climate action, and Shriti Vadera, chair of Prudential Plc (PRU.L). The World Bank and the CEOs will work "to develop, test, implement and ultimately scale financing structures that can most effectively mobilize private capital," Carney said in a statement. He said in a statement that the Private Investment Lab CEOs were a "crucial piece of the puzzle" to devise ways to pull more private sector investment into the intertwined challenges of poverty, climate and fragility. Reporting by David Lawder; Editing by Will Dunham and David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ajay Banga, Joe Biden, King Charles . Banga, Mark Carney, Shriti Vadera, Carney, Thomas Buberl, Larry Fink, BlackRock, Noel Quinn, Hendrik du Toit, Jessica Tan, Sim Tshabalala, Bill Winters, Dilhan, Mark Gallogly, Banga, David Lawder, Will Dunham, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Bank, Investment, U.S, Prudential Plc, World Bank, AXA, HSBC, Shemara, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial, Ping An, Royal Philips, Standard Bank, Standard Chartered, Sustainable Energy, Tata Sons, Temasek, Cairns, Mastercard, Private Investment, Thomson Locations: Britain, Paris, Macquarie, Banga

☆ HDFC Bank director says Indian mega merger won't face 'insurmountable challenges'
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In this article HDFC-INHDFCBANK-IN Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTThe merger between HDFC Bank and HDFC now makes the entity the world's fourth largest bank. Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesThe merger between India's HDFC Bank and the Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) will increase the entity's customer base and provide more opportunities for cross-selling, the non-executive director of HDFC Bank told CNBC. HDFC, India's largest mortgage lender, merged with HDFC Bank, the country's biggest private lender, in a $40 billion deal which took effect on July 1. HDFC Bank has around 83 million customers but only 2% have a housing loan with HDFC. HDFC Bank is currently India's second most valued company by market cap after Reliance Industries .

Persons: HDFC, Keki Mistry, Mistry Organizations: HDFC Bank, Nurphoto, India's HDFC Bank, Housing Development Finance Corporation, CNBC, HDFC, Mortgage, JPMorgan Chase, Industrial, Commercial Bank of China, Bank of America, Reliance Industries Locations: India, China, South East Asia

In this article HDFCBANK-IN Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTA HDFC Bank branch in Mumbai, India, on Friday, April 14, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesIndia's largest private lender HDFC Bank has completed its merger with Housing Development Finance Corporation , the country's biggest mortgage lender, in a deal that pits the new entity against the world's largest banks. HDFC shareholders will receive 42 shares of HDFC Bank for every 25 shares they own, and HDFC will cease operations on the Indian stock market on 13 July. In a presentation to HDFC investors, the mortgage lender outlined synergies including access to lower funding costs, operational efficiencies and a wider distribution network for HDFC. There will also be cross-selling opportunities as 70% of HDFC's customers do not have a banking account with HDFC Bank, according to the presentation.

Persons: Soumya Rajan, Nilesh Shah, HDFC, Rajan, Shah Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, HDFC Bank, Housing Development Finance Corporation, JPMorgan Chase, Industrial, Commercial Bank of China, Bank of America, Waterfield Advisors, Mahindra Asset Management, Reliance Industries, CNBC Locations: Mumbai, India, HDFC

☆ HDFC to merge into HDFC Bank on July 1, create India’s financial behemoth
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Siddhi Nayak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Both the companies have set July 13 as the "record date" to swap HDFC's shares with HDFC Bank's stock for its shareholders, HDFC and HDFC Bank said in separate exchange filings on Friday. With the share swap, HDFC Bank will become one of the world's top 10 banks in terms of market capitalisation, as per Refinitiv data. After the merger, HDFC Bank has no identified promoter. With the merger, HDFC Bank's total loan book will be over 22 trillion rupees, behind only that of State Bank of India (SBI.NS), the country’s largest lender. Both the entities have set July 12 as a record date for transfer of non-convertible debentures of HDFC in the name of HDFC Bank.

Persons: Sashidhar Jagdishan, HDFC's Keki Mistry, Siddhi Nayak, Jose Joseph, Shilpi Majumdar, Maju Samuel Organizations: Housing Development Finance Corp, HDFC Bank, HDFC, State Bank of India, Reuters, Siddhi, Thomson Locations: Renu, India, HDFC

In the fiscal year 2022 through 2023, HDFC raised 784.15 billion from the debt market, higher than the 500 billion rupees a year before. It has raised 460.62 billion rupees since April this year. Mutual funds hold around 270 billion rupees of HDFC's bonds as of May 31, data from information service provider Prime Database showed. Rival LIC Housing Finance may be the biggest beneficiary of HDFC exiting the market, fund managers said. Other competitors such as ICICI Home Finance, Bajaj Housing Finance, Tata Capital Housing Finance and Shriram Housing Finance could also see an increase in demand for their debt issuances, they said.

Persons: HDFC, Raju Sharma, HFCs, Ajay Manglunia, Laukik Bagwe, Bagwe, IDBI Mutual Fund's Sharma, Dharamraj Dhutia, Dhanya Ann Thoppil Organizations: Housing Development Finance Corp, HDFC Bank, Reuters, IDBI Mutual Fund, Securities and Exchange Board of India, JM Financial, AAA, Mutual, LIC, Finance, ICICI Home Finance, Bajaj Housing Finance, Tata Capital Housing Finance, Shriram Housing Finance, Mutual Fund, IDBI Mutual, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, India, HDFC

☆ Ukraine Recovery Conferece: War-torn economy needs private investors to rebuild
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine faces an enormous fundraising challenge, and it’s one that governments and development finance institutions won’t be able to meet without help from private investors. The Ukraine Development Fund is still in the planning stages and is not expected to launch until the conflict ends. But it faces a crucial test Wednesday, when it will canvas support from governments and investors attending the London conference. Attracting private investmentThe Ukraine Development Fund aims to raise so-called concessionary capital from governments and development finance institutions, and then use that to attract private investment. Sunak also unveiled a “war-risk insurance” framework Wednesday, backed by Group of Seven countries, which will help limit potential losses faced by private investors in Ukraine.

Persons: London CNN —, Rishi Sunak’s, Antony Blinken, Sergei Chuzavkov, Volodymyr Zelensky, Stefan Weiler, JPMorgan’s, Weiler, It’s, ”, Brandon Hall, ” Hall, Yan Dobronosov, ” Zelensky, Sunak, ” Sunak, Lenna Koszarny, — Jo Shelley Organizations: London CNN, Conference, Citi, Sanofi, Philips, Bank, World Bank, BlackRock, JPMorgan, Ukraine Development Fund, CNN, Fund, London, BlackRock’s, Group of, Private, Horizon Locations: Russia, Ukraine, London, United States, Russian, Kyiv, Ukrainian, Europe, East, Africa, Kupiansk

☆ Mega-merger gives Indian lender new lease on life
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Shritama Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

HDFC Bank (HDBK.NS), the country’s largest private lender, is set in July to complete its merger with its parent, partner and 26% shareholder Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) (HDFC.NS). That’s a great opportunity for the larger, streamlined HDFC Bank – until now it sold most home loans it originated to its parent. However, the share of mortgages in HDFC Bank’s portfolio will rise close to 30%, compared to SBI’s 20%. HDFC Bank remains a fixer-upper in a couple of important respects, though. Housing Development Finance Corporation created HDFC Bank in 1994 and remains a 26% shareholder.

Persons: Sashidhar Jagdishan, That’s, HDFC, Jagdishan, Breakingviews, Srinivasan Vaidyanathan, Antony Currie, Thomas Shum Organizations: Reuters, HDFC Bank, Housing Development Finance Corporation, –, Bank of India, Mahindra Bank, Reserve Bank of India, Thomson Locations: MUMBAI, Asia, China, United States, watchdogs, Credila

☆ Natural evolution: Record Galapagos deal sparks clamour for eco-friendly debt swaps
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Marc Jones | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The growing appetite comes as record numbers of developing world governments face debt pressures due to higher global interest rates. There have been around 140 over the past 35 years, but even including last month's super-sized Galapagos deal they have only involved around $5 billion of debt altogether. The top-level attendees will be urged to do more, not only debt swaps, but also by providing foreign exchange guarantees and automatic debt-payment breaks for countries hit by climate-related disasters. "Seeing something that has a group of countries involved would be amazing," Issa said. Ecuador says it is eyeing another transaction to capitalise on the halo effect from the Galapagos deal.

Persons: Ramzi Issa, Charles Darwin's, Issa, Ilan Goldfajn, Scott Nathan, Nathan, Emmanuel Macron, Mia Mottley, Suisse's Issa, Simon Jessop, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Ecuador, Credit Suisse, Inter, American Development Bank, U.S . International Development Finance Corporation, Reuters Graphics, Thomson Locations: Ecuador, Belize, Barbados, Gabon, Paris, Sri Lanka, Indian, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Seychelles

It would see the IMF and other MDBs "cut the excessive macro-risk premia on developing countries with $100 billion per year of foreign exchange guarantees", for financing in more volatile domestic currencies rather than the dollar or euro. A report by the World Bank and other big multilateral lenders said they gave $51 billion in 2021 alongside $13 billion from private finance. Outlines of the proposals have been sent to the key groups preparing the discussions over the last couple of weeks. "This is a call to arms" the source said, referring to the document and its intention to galvanise more concrete action from the IMF and multilateral lenders. The proposals put forward in the April document, which also include redistributing other IMF money, are likely to form a key part of the negotiating position of developing countries at the next round of annual climate talks in Dubai later this year.

☆ Ambani’s finance listing will measure disruption
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Shritama Bose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Back in 2019 the boss of $200 billion Reliance Industries (RELI.NS) had pledged to spin out its giant retail and digital units. He has since lured big strategic and financial investors including Meta (META.O), Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) Google and KKR (KKR.N)into those businesses. Jio Financial could be listed as soon as September. The entity will be renamed Jio Financial Services. Jio Financial will list as soon as September, a person familiar with the situation told Breakingviews.

LONDON, May 9 (Reuters) - Ecuador sealed the world's largest "debt-for-nature" swap on record on Tuesday, selling a new "blue bond" that will funnel at least $12 million a year into conservation of the Galapagos Islands, one of the world's most precious ecosystems. Tuesday's $656 million "Galapagos Bond," as it has been dubbed, will run until 2041 and gave investors that bought it a 5.645% "coupon" or interest rate, its bankers said. Ecuador sovereign bonds currently yield from 17% to 26%, but the new bond has an $85 million 'credit guarantee' from the Inter-American Development Bank and $656 million of political risk insurance from the U.S. International Development Finance Corp (DFC), effectively making it less risky. The driver has been the remote Galapagos Islands, some 600 miles (970 km) off Ecuador's mainland coast, that inspired Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution. Scott Nathan, the chief executive of DFC, said people needed to "stay tuned" for similar deals in other countries and the Galapagos deal had been a long time coming.

☆ Financials bounce back from Friday's slide to lift Indian shares
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Bharath Rajeswaran | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Nifty 50 (.NSEI) was up 0.81% at 18,215.75 as of 10:04 a.m. IST, while the S&P BSE Sensex (.BSESN) rose 0.87%. Nifty Bank (.NSEBANK) and Nifty Private Bank (.NIFPVTBANK) also gained over 1%. On Monday, IndusInd Bank Ltd (INBK.NS) rose nearly 5% and was the top Nifty 50 gainer. Analysts expect the Nifty 50 to witness consolidation in the near-term with resistance seen near 18,200 levels. read more($1 = 81.7330 Indian rupees)Reporting by Bharath Rajeswaran in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia CheemaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ HDFC Bank to open more than 675 branches in semi-urban, rural areas in fiscal year 2024, bank official says
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Siddhi Nayak | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MUMBAI, May 4 (Reuters) - HDFC Bank (HDBK.NS), India's largest private lender, is planning to open more than 675 branches in the semi-urban and rural geographies across the country in 2023-24, a senior bank official said on Thursday. The move is part of the lender's new programme targeting customers in semi-urban and rural areas, helping the bank meet some of its Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets. PSL requirements, which include lending to weaker segments of the economy, are linked to an organisation's loan book. Of this, around 52% of the bank's branches are in the semi-urban and rural areas. Going forward, HDFC Bank aims to double business in semi-urban and rural areas - both by assets and liabilities - in the next two-to-three years, Vohra said.

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