M&A Briefing
Kirin makes move on Lion Nathan
In pursuit of its policy of earnings-accretive growth, Kirin takes the first step towards a possible privatisation of the Australian alcoholic beverages company.




Equity News
Strong investor turnout for noodle maker block
The seller agrees to increase the Tingyi offer by 33% to $45 million in response to strong demand.


Business Moves
Investment banking drives Q1 profits at Credit Suisse
The focus on low-risk client and flow businesses results in a quarter-on-quarter turnaround of close to SFr10 billion in the investment banking division, allowing the bank to report a Q1 net profit of SFr2 billion.




View Point
Will Merrill cost Ken Lewis his job?
Proxy advisory agencies and a large Bank of America investor advise shareholders to hold the chairman and CEO responsible for going ahead with the Merrill merger.


FX
The role of the dollar called into question
Following suggestions by China's central bank governor for a new world reserve currency, S&P takes a look at why the dollar is so dominant in the first place and what are the potential alternatives.




Private Banking
Private bank woos women, probably not feminists
RBS Coutts launches a women-specific private banking initiative, noting that women "wish to be treated like a man but spoken to like a woman".


Loan Digest
Loan week, April 17-23
A roundup of the latest syndicated loan market news.