Korean banks prove herd instinct is intact

Like their Indian counterparts, Korean banks are prone to issuing as a herd. And, in coming weeks, they are expected to hit the debt capital markets in full force.

Hana Bank has mandated Barclays Capital, Citi, HSBC and Standard Chartered for a US dollar global bond. The Korean commercial bank is eyeing a Reg-S144a benchmark and could issue a five-year bond.

Hana Bank is the flagship subsidiary of Hana Financial Group, which in November last year agreed to acquire US buyout fund Lone Star’s 51.02% stake in Korea Exchange Bank KEB. Hana Financial Group will pay up to W4.7 trillion $4.1 billion for the majority stake with the financing coming partly...