regulation
China infrastructure: PE to the rescue?
The era of easy credit in China is over, leaving companies without the means to service debts tied to infrastructure projects. Foreign PE investors are looking for ways to capitalize on the opportunity.
Sino-Forest bondholders may face 100% write-down
Sino-Forest bondholders could face a near-100% write-down on their investment as the company received a default notice on two of its bonds after failing to file third-quarter results on time.
The growing importance of investor relations
As Asian private equity continues to evolve into a true asset class, the role of investor relations and fundraising professionals has become increasingly important. Over the years, I’ve watched as private equity firms place ever more emphasis on the...
Another KEB backer looks to divest stake
The Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) is looking to sell its 6.25% stake in Korea Exchange Bank, coming as embattled buyout fund Lone Star is set to offload its 51% majority stake in the company to Hana Financial Group.
Coller Capital buys Crédit Agricole Private Equity
Secondaries investor Coller Capital has acquired fund manager Crédit Agricole Private Equity (CAPE) from France’s largest retail banking group, Crédit Agricole.
New Chinese rules clamp down on illegal fundraising
Illegal fundraising in China could soon be a thing of the past, as the country has issued its first national regulations for private equity and venture capital investment.
Hana's board approves $3.5b KEB purchase
Hana Financial Group has approved a plan to acquire the 51% stake in Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) held by US buyout fund Lone Star for KRW3.92 trillion ($3.5 billion). Pending regulatory approval, the transaction could be completed by the year’s end, signaling...
Half of Chinese GPs ‘challenged by regulatory issues’
More than half of Chinese private equity firms find the industry’s regulations a struggle, according to new survey conducted by Alvarez & Marsal, coming at a greater rate than their overseas peers.
Update: Lone Star may sell KEB for 11% less
Lone Star is reportedly looking to sell its stake in Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) to Hana Financial Group at an 11% discount to its previously discussed price of KRW4.4 trillion ($3.8 billion). That price is a further reduction on the 7% discount reported...
Lone Star may sell KEB for 7% less - report
Lone Star is reportedly nearing the sale of Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) to Hana Financial Group at a 7% discount to the KRW4.4 trillion ($3.8 billion) offer price. If agreed, the move would highlight the pressure that embattled Lone Star faces to offload...
Chinese regulators poised to clamp down on illegal fundraising
China’s National Development and Reform Commission is looking into domestic private equity firms’ fundraising operations with a view to tightening regulatory oversight on the sector.
Korean regulators to investigate KEB
South Korean regulators have launched a probe into the inside operations of Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) to ensure that the lender complied with court orders to fire members of its board related to embattled owner Lone Star.
India alters rules on anchor investors, PE disclose for IPOs
Anchor investors in IPOs by Indian companies must put in at least INR50 million under new rules introduced by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The threshold, designed to ensure that only serious players enter the fray, comes alongside...
SKS Microfinance Chairman Vikram Akula resigns
The founder and chairman of embattled microlender SKS Finance, Vikram Akula, has resigned his post after 14 years at the firm. It comes as the publicly listed lender looks to recoup costs amid an increasingly difficult business environment.
Indian investors reconsider structures
Proposed tax reforms are threatening Mauritius’ dominant position as the preferred foreign investment conduit for India
Lone Star ordered to sell down KEB stake within six months
Lone Star has been ordered to sell down the majority of its 51% stake in Korea Exchange Bank (KEB), South Korea’s sixth-largest bank by assets, to 10% or less within six months. This has reportedly prompted US-based Lone Star to seek out buyers as its...
Sino-Forest runs low on cash, bonds suggest default
Sino-Forest, the private equity-backed forestry firm that last week issued a report denying short-seller claims that it is engaged in a massive fraud, is still in danger as its bonds trade at prices that imply an extremely high risk of default. The negative...
Sino-Forest denies fraud claims
Private equity-backed Chinese forestry firm Sino-Forest has denied allegations by short-seller Muddy Waters that it engaged in fraudulent activity related to its assets and revenue reporting.
China MBOs: The problem with privatizations
With stock prices undervalued, company chairman and private equity investors are eyeing potential privatizations among US-listed Chinese companies. It isn’t as easy as it seems.
Bain, TPG told to give Lilliput founder first refusal on shares
The Delhi High Court has forbidden Bain Capital and TPG Capital from selling their shares in Lilliput Kidswear without first offering them to Sanjeev Narula, the company’s founder.
Indian authorities reverse decision on options
The Indian government has backtracked on a month-old order on foreign direct investment (FDI) transactions that threatened private equity exits by limiting the use of put and call options.
NSR co-founder Rajat Gupta indicted for insider trading
Chairman and Co-Founder of New Silk Route (NSR) Rajat Gupta was indicted for insider trading by a US federal court on Wednesday. He is charged with one count of conspiracy and five counts of securities fraud.
Lone Star may be told to sell down KEB stake next month - report
South Korean regulators may order Lone Star to sell down its 51% stake in Korea Exchange Bank (KEB) to less than 10% next month. The move comes after the US private equity fund was found guilty of manipulating KEB’s stock price ahead of purchasing the...
MBK's CNS exit may be stalled - report
MBK Partners’ exit from Taiwanese media group China Network Systems (CNS) may again face delays, as regulators have called into question Want Want China Holdings’ intentions for the asset.