Ireland was the first sovereign to tap the syndicated bond market in 2014, cementing its return to normal financing after the country's exit from its rescue programme.

Unlisted white goods manufacturer Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte chose an unregulated Frankfurt market to launch its debut Eurobond issue targeting institutional investors only. Despite the unusual approach, the deal was more than twice oversubscribed.

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.