Roadshows were launched in Hong Kong on 17 November for the first drawdown of the euro medium-term note (EMTN) programme of National Bank of Dubai (NBD). The five-year issue will be of benchmark size, likely to be in the region of $500 million (MEED 11:11:05).

The Asian roadshows will take in Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur before moving to Europe on 23-25 November. NDB was assigned an A1 long-term and a Prime-1 short-term foreign currency rating by Moody's Investors Servicein early November. HSBC acted as ratings adviser and is the sole arranger on the overall $1,000 million EMTN programme. HSBC and Bank of Americaare jointly arranging the first drawdown.

An extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of NBD's shareholders approved the bond programme on 13 November, as well as agreeing to a bonus share issue of one share for every five held.

The launch of the first drawdown of an EMTN programme by Arab Banking Corporationis imminent, following the conclusion of roadshows in mid-November. HSBC and Citigroupare the lead managers.