A peaceful election and slowing inflation have put M&A markets in South Africa in a more advantageous position. However, taking advantage of South African deal opportunities requires a clear understanding of a rapidly...more
At the start of June 2022, the prevailing rate for the sterling overnight index average (SONIA) was 0.94%. Just 12 months later, SONIA has risen to 4.43%, and comparable increases in the equivalent reference rates have been...more
On April 12, 2023, Tradeweb’s Swap Execution Facility, TW SEF LLC, filed a self-certification for certain overnight index swaps (OIS) referencing USD Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) or GBP Sterling Overnight Index...more
With the last U.S. dollar (“USD”) LIBOR tenors being discontinued on June 30, 2023, the time has come for borrowers and lenders (and lessees and lessors) to think about replacing LIBOR in their existing facilities....more
The formal end of using the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) as a risk-free reference interest rate for banks and other financial institutions, in the UK at least, was scheduled for the end of 2021....more
HEADLINES - ▪️ In the US, leveraged loan issuance for 2021 reached US$1.4 trillion, a 63% increase year-on-year ▪️ The high yield bond market in the US was relatively flat, rising from US$428.3 billion in 2020 to...more
Islamic finance providers have been slow to make the transition away from LIBOR, as the replacement benchmark rates pose challenges in the context of Sharia compliance - The phase-out of the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate...more
- In the US, leveraged loan issuance for 2021 reached US$1.4 trillion, a 63% increase year-on-year - The high yield bond market in the US was relatively flat, rising from US$428.3 billion in 2020 to US$429.7 billion in...more
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority's new rules permitting legacy use of certain synthetic sterling and yen LIBOR settings enter into force today. The FCA has published its final notice confirming that ICE Benchmark...more
The active underlying deal environment comingled with the December 31st LIBOR transition deadline combined to make November the busiest month in the history of Cadwalader Fund Finance. We have no doubt that’s been the case...more
It is starting to feel as if we are nearing the end of a long climb, in fact the end of a long period of uncertainty, for financial institutions and businesses alike, on how to deal with LIBOR transition. Having to keep an...more
Welcome to the latest edition of MoFoReal, our newsletter highlighting recent activities and other developments in MoFo’s European Real Estate team. We hope you enjoy it and would really appreciate your feedback and...more
The best benchmark for a company or a bank primarily depends upon the entity’s debt/interest rate swap situation as summarized below. This analysis also touches on the rationale behind the derivatives market's recent embrace...more
This article summarizes the significant problems with the LIBOR transition in the US as compared to the UK (and the rest of the world). This summary is based upon the keynote speech at the United Kingdom Financial Conduct...more
As part of the ongoing transition from the London InterBank Offering Rate (LIBOR) to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) recommended by the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC) as an alternative rate, an...more
GBP transition to SONIA under Solvency II regime: PRA PS12/21 - The UK Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) has published a policy statement, PS12/21, on deep, liquid and transparent (DLT) assessments and GBP transition to...more
As we approach the end of LIBOR, the next phase of the transition is already upon us: incorporating the new fallback rates and market conventions into our transactions. This article highlights SONIA, the Bank of England’s...more
Much information has been published in recent months on the discontinuation of The London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and what is to replace it. Set out below is a summary of what has happened and how it is likely to...more
LIBOR transition: FCA and BoE encourage switch to SONIA in sterling non-linear derivatives market - The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of England (BoE) have published a joint statement announcing that they...more
UK-EU MoU on regulatory cooperation in financial services - HM Treasury has announced that technical discussions on the text of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) on UK-EU regulatory cooperation in financial services have...more
The end of March has welcomed Spring, and this year it marks a new era for the financial markets, particularly for loans and financial products which would usually use Sterling LIBOR as the benchmark for calculation of...more
LIBOR has been a key interest rate benchmark for many decades, used as the principal reference rate to several hundred trillions of dollars in derivatives, bonds, loans and securitizations. However, when the LIBOR...more
On March 26, 2021, the LMA published a note outlining considerations for market participants relating to the use of forward-looking term SONIA reference rates (Term SONIA Rates)....more
The Infrastructure Projects Authority (“IPA”) recently published guidance on LIBOR transition and key considerations for both UK PFI/PPP contractors and their financiers in respect of active LIBOR transition. Whilst this...more
On 5 March 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) set out certain key dates for the cessation of all 35 London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) settings published by ICE Benchmark Administration. Whilst there has been...more