Bonds, banks and busts

What better way to start the day than with a heady dose of news about corporate bonds? Before you answer that, consider that China Construction Bank has announced it has issued US$5.85 billion worth of subordinated bonds, the biggest bond sale in the Asia-Pacific region this year, so far. The idea is to improve the financial strength of the bank ahead of an expected rash of bad debts. Shenzhen Development Bank, meanwhile, could revert to Chinese control if US private-equity firm TPG Capital can sell its 17% stake in the bank when it becomes unlocked next year. It’s not yet clear who would take on the stake, though a number of big Chinese firms have expressed interest. Also on the receiving end of Chinese interest are Taiwan-funded companies, which have been offered US$19 billion worth of financing by Beijing, which is hoping to build a bridge of friendship to the island out of RMB100 notes. We just hope they’re using real money, and not the US$13.14 million worth of fakes confiscated by police in Huizhou, Guangdong. The cops found the notes when they busted a counterfeiting ring, the third they’ve shut down in the city of 2.9 million in recent years.