From Iran Tensions to AI Ventures: The Credit Market Perspective

The Future of Bitcoin: Trends, Challenges, and Alternatives

In the latest episode of "Credit Matters," Shankar Ramakrishnan and Bruce Clark speak with Jill Cetina (Executive Professor and Associate Director of the Commercial Banking Program, Texas A&M University) about how Bitcoin’s market role has shifted as alternatives like precious metals and stablecoins have gained traction. They discuss dollar weakness versus recent commodity-driven shocks tied to the Strait of Hormuz, the risk that inventory drawdowns could trigger parabolic moves in oil and other Gulf-linked commodities, and how that could feed inflation, recession risk, and higher Treasury yields amid global bond-market pressures. Cetina frames stablecoins as a potential tool for boosting T-bill demand and supporting Treasury debt management, but warns they may crowd out bank deposits and small-business lending. The conversation also critiques proposed bank deregulation, arguing key lessons from the 2023 regional banking crisis on liquidity and interest-rate risk remain unaddressed. Get in touch: For more information about how IGM's solutions can support your business, visit our website or contact us: https://informaconnect.com/igm/ Follow us: Keep up to date with all the latest from IGM by following us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/informa-global-markets

The Evolution and Impact of Financial Covenants

In the latest "Credit Matters" podcast, we are joined by Ian Walker, the Head of Legal Innovation at Covenant Review, to explore the complex realm of financial covenants. Ian, a seasoned expert in legal covenant analysis, shares his insights on how these covenants serve as essential guardrails for lenders and investors, ensuring financial stability and offering early warning signs of potential default. Financial covenants, Ian explains, are agreements within loan contracts and high-yield bonds that monitor the borrower's financial health. Over the years, the market has seen a shift towards "cov-lite" agreements, which reduce the constraints traditionally placed on borrowers. This evolution reflects a broader market trend towards more flexible lending terms, driven by competitive pressures and the increasing sophistication of borrowers. Ian draws attention to the ongoing tug of war between issuers and lenders as each strives to achieve favorable terms. Despite the challenges, Ian emphasizes the critical role of these covenants in maintaining market stability. The discussion also covers the intricate dynamics of liability management transactions, highlighting the innovative approaches the market takes to manage distressed situations and preserve value.

The Power of Non-US Investors in Dollar Markets

In the latest episode of "Credit Matters", Jonathan Anderson, Global Head of Debt Syndicate and US DCM at SMBC Nikko Securities America, joins Shankar Ramakrishnan and Bruce Clark to discuss the growing influence of Asian and Middle Eastern investors in US dollar fixed income, including Reg S markets and how liquidity and attractive yields support demand. They address whether “sell America” narratives after Liberation Day tariffs and the Iran war showed up in order books, and explore the impact of diverging global monetary policy, including Bank of Japan changes. The conversation covers surging emerging market issuance, risk sentiment and spread behavior, funding diversification across currencies, record Reverse Yankee and “kangaroo” activity, concentration-risk concerns, strong M&A financing volumes, and private credit/BDC market support, plus how syndicate execution has become faster and more efficient and how AI may augment junior roles.

Hybrid Bonds: The Future of Finance

In the latest episode of "Credit Matters," guest Dan Botoff, Global Head of DCM Syndicate at RBC Capital Markets, joins Shankar Ramakrishnan (Head of U.S. Credit & Market Engagement, Informa Global Markets) and Bruce Clark (Head of Rates Market Coverage, Informa Global Markets) to discuss hybrid bonds and preferred securities—capital instruments blending debt and equity that can provide issuers equity credit, regulatory benefits, tax advantages, and non-dilutive balance-sheet support while offering investors higher yield. They review where hybrids sit in the capital structure, who uses them (banks, utilities, industrials, non-bank financials), and current issuance trends (US just under $30B YTD vs mid-$80B last year) with 30–40% growth in major markets over recent years. The conversation covers how rate cycles affect issuance, investor base expansion, lessons from stress events like Credit Suisse AT1s, liquidity and private credit/BDC market sentiment, cross-currency funding opportunities amid divergent central-bank paths, market efficiency gains since the 1990s and during COVID, and how AI and better information flow are reshaping capital markets and junior banker skill needs. Subscribe to Credit Matters on YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Unlock daily issuance insights and live bond data - request a free trial of IGM's solutions or contact us for more info.

Fitch Ratings on Market Trends & Risks

In the latest episode of "Credit Matters," guest Meghan Neenan (NA / Head of North America Non-Bank Financial Institutions, Managing Director) joins host Shankar Ramakrishnan and co-host Bruce Clark to explain what private credit is, how it has grown since the global financial crisis, and why it matters for financial markets. Neenan breaks down key segments such as direct lending and business development companies, discusses fund financing tools like NAV facilities, and explains how bank regulatory capital and leveraged lending guidance helped shift lending outside banks. The conversation covers cyclicality, refinancing and amend-and-extend dynamics, PIK features, and Fitch’s due diligence and rating approaches, including macroeconomic inputs and lessons from the GFC. They also address recent stress headlines, redemption-driven liquidity concerns, retail participation, dispersion among managers, and why Fitch sees private credit as systemically relevant but not likely to trigger broad contagion. Subscribe to Credit Matters on YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Unlock daily issuance insights and live bond data - request a free trial of IGM's solutions or contact us for more info.