Europe

The manager's Sound Point Euro CLO 1 Funding DAC is the only deal so far in 2019 to be issued for a first-time issuer in the EU region.

The €249 million Taurus 019-1 FR is backed by a single loan from Bank of America on a portfolio of 206 mixed-use properties leased to French electric utility EDF.

Nick Robinson, a 15-year Milbank veteran in advising CLO arrangers, managers and investors, joins as a partner in the New York office of the London-based firm.

With an expected March 20 closing, BMW's next lease securitization brings first-quarter deal volume to $6.5 billion, the highest three-month total in four years.

The majority of the collateral for Finsbury 2019-1 was originated over the past year, but it includes some loans from a 2016 deal that has been called; some of these older loans are delinquent.

The €400 million RRE 1 Loan Management DAC has a 4.5-year reinvestment period and two-year non-callable period, according to presale reports.

Some 35% of vehicles backing Driver UK Master Compartment 5 have diesel engines; presale reports do not indicate the percentage that meet more stringent EU emission standards.

The rating agency has developed rating criteria for bonds backed by oil and gas royalties, though such deals would be capped at the 'A' rating category.

A top official at the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions defended tougher underwriting rules blamed recently for a slump in the nation’s housing market, but left open the possibility that regulations could ease if conditions change.

They join Blackstone/GSO, PGIM, Credit Suisse, Guggenheim Securities and the Carlyle Group in reopening a new-issue market that was dormant in December.