National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) was named ‘Best DCM House in the UAE’ by Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2015 at a ceremony held in Dubai recently.

Its debt origination and distribution activities have earned its growing attention and recognition across the West-East corridor, including Asia.

In May, the bank successfully priced seven bond transactions for international issuers first-ever aviation sukuk  out of Asia Pacific for Garuda Indonesia ($500 million) - NBAD was Sole Global Coordinator; Hong Kong Government’s second sukuk  issuance ($1 billion) - NBAD acted as joint lead manager on both transactions; and first-ever Eurobond transaction by a Chinese bank‎ acting through its Dubai branch for ICBC ($500 million).

It also includes first ever Basel-III compliant Tier 1 offering out of Oman and debut issuance for Bank Dhofar in the international capital markets ($300 million) - NBAD acted as joint global coordinator; first ever conventional bond issuance out of Sharjah and debut issuance for Bank of Sharjah ($500 million) – NBAD was joint coordinator and joint bookrunner; and second capital markets transaction for Dubai Islamic Bank in 2015 ($750 million) -  NBAD acted as joint lead manager; and first corporate bond from Dubai this year for DP World ($500 million).

Alex Thursby, NBAD’s group chief executive officer, said: “These successful issuances demonstrate our expertise in debt origination and distribution and our growing credibility among international investors in Asia and in the rest of the West-East Corridor. We are committed to building on this momentum and on our strong fundamentals to further develop these activities for the benefit of our chosen clients.”

Andy Cairns, NBAD’s global head of debt origination and distribution, said: “Leadership in debt capital markets is a cornerstone of our financing proposition so it is particularly satisfying to be recognized by Euromoney as the best DCM house in NBAD's home market of the UAE.

“We are committed to solving the financing needs of all ‎clients - not only in the UAE but across our international platform - and will continue to deliver best advice and execution in bonds, loans and Sukuk  that our recent awards attest to.” - TradeArabia News Service