Sofr fix nears launch as CLOs face term rate void
Three months into 2021, grounds for optimism have grown little that a term rate will be found before the end of the year to replace Libor in loans, CLOs, CDS and other contracts. But hopes are rising that solutions such as credit spread adjustments could help mitigate performance uncertainty

European CLO trades wide in secondary amid CLO risk retention issue
A European CLO manager has been caught in a rare situation owing to risk-retention compliance for its 2015-vintage Euro Galaxy IV – and CLO traders have factored this in the secondary market

Six European CLO managers switch to Ireland after Dutch tax hike
European CLO managers have been rapidly shifting their Netherlands-domiciled SPVs to Irish DAC vehicles, according to sources, including PGIM, Barings and Cairn

European CLO managers switch legacy deals to originators ahead of Brexit deadline
A few European CLO managers are undertaking house keeping ahead of the end of the Brexit transition period in January, by switching the method by which their legacy CLOs comply with risk retention from sponsor to originator

Partners triggers frequency switch event on European CLO
Partners Group has made the rare decision to flip the frequency switch on one of its European CLOs

VAT guidance leaves CLO managers in 'limbo' as they weigh options
The Dutch Tax Authority’s move to ease the pressure on European CLO managers by grandfathering deals against VAT until at least January 2021 has drawn mixed responses

European CLOs earn VAT wiggle room - and varying grandfathering protection
European CLOs domiciled in the Netherlands have been given some breathing room as various stock exchange announcements suggest the Dutch Tax Authority (DTA) will not retroactively impose VAT bills on CLOs

CLO manager notices cast doubt on Dutch VAT hike
An expected Netherlands VAT tax on CLOs has been thrown into doubt today, with several managers issuing announcements to their investors that suggested there will be a grace period, as well as no back payment

Dutch VAT ruling to reduce impacted CLO equity returns by 1 to 2%, says BofA
The Dutch tax authority’s decision to charge a 21% VAT on CLO collateral management fees will have a ‘substantial’ impact on equity, with returns likely to be 1 to 1.2% lower going forward, according to a research paper published by Bank of America

Managers seeking bond buckets will need high yield track record
US CLOs could soon be permitted to buy corporate bonds amid an overhaul of the Volcker rule, but market sources say that in the short term bond flexibility is a luxury that will only be afforded to a select group of CLO managers.

Dutch-registered CLO costs to jump 10bp as managers face VAT bill
CLO special purpose vehicles in the Netherlands are to be clogged with a 21% VAT bill on management fees, according to market sources, a blow to equity investors in around 20% of European CLOs

Search for clarity over reporting templates leads European CLO managers to tech solutions
Service providers are seeking to help European CLO managers comply with their disclosure requirements under the EU securitisation regulation after it emerged last month that relevant reporting must be submitted by March at the latest.

Investors raise concerns over obscure wording in CLO docs
Europe’s structured credit market has been abiding by the Securitisation Regulation for the best part of six months, but some investors have told Creditflux that they are still not satisfied with the way European CLOs are accounting for potential fines. 

Cayman Island hopping: EU laws provoke switch in CLO listings
The Cayman Islands Stock Exchange (CSX) is set to become the listing place of choice in 2019 for CLOs put together by US managers — at least, according to a bold prediction by law firm Harneys.

Ashurst promotes structured products lawyer as one of 21 new partners
Ashurst has promoted to partner a London-based lawyer who specialises in derivatives and debt capital markets

Japan regulation affords CLOs breathing room
Japan’s regulators have avoided disruption of the global CLO market by softening the impact of their risk retention rules that came into effect in March

CLO market holds breath as Japan risk retention looms
Risk retention compliant US CLOs could make a comeback after the Japan Financial Services Authority (JFSA) unveiled its proposed new risk retention framework, which could tie the hands of the world’s biggest buyers of US CLOs

Market welcomes Esma loosening of securitisation regs but questions remain
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)'s revision of the reporting templates that must be completed under the securitisation regulations addresses many of the concerns raised by market participants but leaves some points of difficulty, according to industry lawyers

CLO docs shed light on implementation of Securitisation Regulation
Market participants are beginning to get visibility on how European CLOs are handling the transparency obligation and the risk of fines under the European Securities & Markets Authority’s (Esma) Securitisation Regulation, according to a report on Creditflux’s sister publication Debtwire

ESAs extend reporting olive branch to European CLOs
A group of European supervisory authorities (ESAs) have raised hopes that CLOs could avoid some of the toughest reporting requirements under the securitisation regulations coming into effect in January

Merry Christmas from the EU: Commission gifts regulatory relief to securitisations
European securitisers can breathe a sigh of relief today after the European Commission has endorsed calls to relax its securitisation regulation

European regulators look to soothe CLO reporting jitters
The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs – EBA, ESMA and EIOPA) have sought to calm the nerves of the European CLO industry ahead of a securitisation regulation framework that is due to come into effect from January

Simmons & Simmons adds partner to lead its CLO practice in London
Simmons & Simmons has appointment structured credit specialist James Grand as a partner to lead its CLO practice

ESMA regulations could halt European issuance, says LMA
The European securitisation market is at risk of a “cessation of issuance and market disruption” unless the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) allows a phased implementation of the new regulatory framework due to come into effect from January, according to the Loan Market Association (LMA)