The investment banking business has thrived this year in North Asia, led by the revival of activities in China’s initial public offering market -- once the sector’s bread and butter in the region -- and the sustained vigour of the debt capital market as well as the growing corporate advisory business in the area.

 

Citi produced another year of dominant performance in North Asia with the sheer depth and breadth of its franchise, winning the best bank award in China, where it has been recognized with this accolade for the eighth time in a row, as well as in South Korea and Taiwan, where the bank has been named best bank every year since 2003.

 

As it successfully combines its investment banking capabilities with the strengths of its full-fledged corporate banking business, Citi is also named best foreign investment bank and best equity house in South Korea, and best foreign investment bank and best M&A house in Hong Kong.

 

In China, UBS demonstrated strong industry expertise and execution capability to defend its title of best foreign investment bank. It leveraged on its unmatched private banking franchise to win important mandates while its globally strong investment banking platform allows it to offer a full spectrum of investment banking products to its clients.

 

Bank of America Merrill Lynch demonstrated clear leadership in the M&A space in China to win the best M&A house award for the first time in several years, with its involvement in several high profile and innovative transactions. The bank also scored big in Japan, winning the highly-coveted awards of best foreign investment bank and best debt house. In Korea, it reasserts its leadership position in DCM, regaining the best debt house award that it had conceded last year, with a well-rounded performance as the bookrunner-of-choice for several frequent and prolific issuers.

 

CICC bags the best equity house in China, having successfully completed several large-sized transactions both in the H-share market in Hong Kong and A-share market in China. Bank of China repeats its 2013 feat, grabbing the best debt house award for its dominance in the onshore bond market in the mainland as well as a growing influence in the offshore debt market, ensuring its G3 and dim sum product offerings.

 

In Hong Kong, HSBC continued its home market dominance, not only retaining the best bank, best debt house, best domestic bond house and best brokerage house honours; but also claiming the best equity house award. It arranged several significant equity transactions during the review period, some of which were done on a sole basis.

 

In Taiwan, Morgan Stanley reclaimed its turf, winning the best foreign investment bank as well as best equity house, reflecting its determination to maintain a clear leadership among foreign investment banks in an increasingly challenging market. It executed a number of landmark transactions across equity, debt and M&A that set new benchmarks and competitive dynamics for the industry. It is also the winner of best equity house and best M&A house awards in Japan, where it completed many of the largest, industry-defining deals, thanks to the potent combination of global reach with local presence that it enjoys via its joint venture with MUFG.

 

Credit Suisse is the winner of two awards in Korea – best M&A house and best brokerage house. The bank boasts a strong track record in cross-border M&A and government privatization/restructuring, having advised a wide variety of clients ranging from governments to private sector enterprises, while its equity brokerage business ranks among the top, with strong distribution capabilities, comprehensive research coverage and a broad range of support including after-market support it provides to its corporate and institutional clients.

 

Among local winners, ICBC returned to the podium to win the best domestic bank award in China for the fourth time in a row. CITIC Securities remains the powerhouse in domestic capital market. The securities firm not only retained the best domestic bond house and best brokerage house awards, but also added the highly competitive category of best domestic investment bank award, showing its growing capability across all product segments and industry sectors.

 

In Taiwan, CTBC retains the best domestic bank and best debt house awards, thanks to its leadership position across multiple business lines, while E.Sun Bank has emerged as a force to reckon with amid its continuing strong growth trajectory and smart strategic expansion moves to earn the recognition of highly commended-best domestic bank in Taiwan. Other winners in this market are Yuanta Securities, which is named the best domestic investment bank – for the third straight year - best M&A house and best brokerage house, while KGI Securities defends its title of best domestic bond house, winning it for the second time.

 

Hang Seng remains on top in Hong Kong, winning the best domestic bank award for the 15thconsecutive year, while Shinhan Bank wins the best domestic bank in Korea for the third time in a row.