Politicians worrying about the supply of credit to small and medium-sized businesses see capital markets as a possible solution, but the lack of standardised loans in the sector is making securitisation difficult.

France's Société Générale has responded to the long-awaited finalisation of European capital regulations with a new contingent convertible structure that could set a marker for the market.

In July, the European Investment Bank looked to address the demand for socially responsible investments by launching the largest ever euro-denominated green bond using the bank's mini-benchmark programme, ECoop. Its green thinking proved to be clever thinking, when the initial deal size had to be increased to satisfy demand.

The University of Hertfordshire needed to develop student accommodation without overburdening its own balance sheet. A project bond deal proved to be the answer.

Energias de Portugal reopened the Portuguese securitisation market in May 2013 with a deal that used a new type of underlying asset for the country and an independent investment bank as sole bookrunner. The company's chief financial officer explains how.

Turkey is a relatively new market for sukuk issuance compared with Malaysia and the Middle East, but its Islamic banks are now at the forefront of subordinated sukuk structures, led by Albaraka Turk and its innovative murabaha issue.

UK utilities operator National Grid made a highly successful debut in the hybrid market to finance large investment needs without jeopardising its credit ratings.

At the beginning of 2013, Greek telecoms group OTE launched a €700m bond issue. The largest corporate debt transaction from a Greek borrower since the sovereign debt crisis erupted in 2010, the deal’s success offered stark proof of changing sentiment towards peripheral Europe.

Switzerland might not seem a natural market for a New Zealand municipal bond, but Auckland Council found the Swiss franc market a good fit for its needs.

A few short years ago, securitisation was blamed for triggering the financial crisis and was seen as the root of all evil. However, there are now signs of change, with issuers slowly beginning to reconsider the market as investor appetite returns.