SOUTHEAST Asia provides an interesting trove of transactions as competition heats up for honours in The Asset Triple A Country Awards 2017. As in the previous years, the regional and domestic banks have once again stepped up to the plate to challenge the global banks in bringing deals into the market.

There were several outstanding transactions out of Southeast Asia during our review period. Paiton Energy’s benchmark US dollar project bonds were the first in Indonesia in over a decade. In the Philippines, Ayala Corporation set a precedent by becoming the first Philippine corporation to tap the perpetual bond market. VietJet also set an example by issuing the first Reg S compliant IPO in the Vietnamese market.

Other significant deals include Star Energy consortium’s acquisition of Chevron’s geothermal and power businesses in Indonesia and the Philippines; the Republic of Indonesia’s inaugural dual currency bonds in US dollar and euro; BDO Unibank’s US$1.2 billion rights offering; and DBS’ green bond issuance.

The Republic of Indonesia’s trade is a clear sign that the sovereign is gaining confidence in approaching different types of investors. Moreover, DBS’ green bond is a microcosm of the growing excitement and emergence around ESG investing in the region.

DBS emerged as a big winner in its home market in Singapore, scooping five awards – Best bank (Domestic), Best corporate and institutional bank (Domestic), Best equity adviser, Best bond adviser and Best loan adviser. In addition, DBS Vickers retains its Best brokerage accolade for the second year in a row.

CIMB also figured prominently in several award’s categories in Malaysia, winning the Best corporate and institutional bank (Domestic), Best equity adviser, Best bond adviser (Domestic) and Best M&A adviser.

Another local player that managed to wrestle some awards amid the foreign competition is BDO Capital and Investment Corporation in the Philippines, which was voted as Best corporate and institutional bank (Domestic), Best equity adviser and Best loan adviser.

Among the foreign banks, Citi nearly won all of the Best bank awards in the global category in Southeast Asia – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. This award in Vietnam went to HSBC, retaining the accolade for the second consecutive year.

Credit Suisse manifested the strength of its corporate and institutional banking franchise in Southeast Asia as it won this award category in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. HSBC secured the award in Malaysia and Vietnam.

For the full list of winners, please click here for best deals, Southeast Asia.

For the full list of winners, please click here for best houses, Southeast Asia.