Top Awards 2011
Bank of the Year
The European sovereign debt crisis provided a sombre backdrop to developments in global investment banking, particularly in the second half of 2011. One firm accelerated and consolidated its truly impressive build-out. For increasing market share, executing more than its fair share of the year’s stand-out business, staying profitable throughout, and transforming itself into an increasingly go-to investment bank, Barclays Capital is IFR’s 2011 Bank of the Year.
Bond House
Global passion: True market leaders rise to the top in times of turmoil. And when much of the world is engulfed by turbulence, it takes a bank with a truly global presence to be able to perform at its best on a consistent basis. Deutsche Bank is IFR’s Euro Bond House of the Year and Bond House of the Year.*
Equity House
Judgement and execution: Equity market conditions were hostile throughout 2011, so judgement and execution were critical to serve clients effectively. Morgan Stanley showed both, held a leading position in every region and led the year’s benchmark deals. It is IFR’s North America Equity House of the Year and Equity House of the Year.
Loan House
Taking on the titans: Barclays Capital distinguished itself in 2011 by growing its franchise in difficult and volatile markets. For cementing its reputation as a major arranger of event-driven M&A loans with stunning successes in the US, where it took on the market’s titans – and won, Barclays Capital is IFR’s Loan House of the Year.
Securitisation House
Leadership and innovation: Flow products dominated securitisation in 2011, but with borrowers’ needs extending beyond consumer products, innovative structures across a wide range of jurisdictions and asset classes were vital. In rising to the challenge and racking up a number of first-time structures in the process, Royal Bank of Scotland is IFR’s EMEA Securitisation House of the Year and Securitisation House of the Year.
Derivatives House
Thought leaders: In a year dominated by eurozone volatility and regulatory overhaul, banks with nimble business models proved most adept at navigating the new world. For its achievement in building a top-tier franchise in just three years and excelling through the toughest conditions, Barclays Capital is IFR’s Interest Rate Derivatives House of the Year and Derivatives House of the Year.
Restructuring Adviser
Keeping busy: Houlihan Lokey stayed busy during a lull in the restructuring cycle by focusing on distressed areas such as real estate and leisure, winning mandates from debtors as well as its traditional creditor clients. This consistent high-quality approach makes Houlihan Lokey IFR’s EMEA Restructuring Adviser of the Year and Restructuring Adviser of the Year.
Emerging Markets Bond House
Solving the EM puzzle: Emerging market borrowers got off to a decent start in 2011 but as Europe’s financial crisis intensified, issuance almost ground to a halt. For bond houses, the ability to read market conditions quickly was key. No bank was faultless, but for its consistency across all developing regions, Deutsche Bank is IFR’s Emerging EMEA Bond House of the Year and Emerging Markets Bond House of the Year.
