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Issuer: Household International

Euromoney's 1997 bond trading poll is dominated by SBC Warburg, ABN Amro, Deutsche Morgan Grenfell and US giants Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan. In almost all categories the continental players are on the rise. Commentary by Rebecca Dobson.

Investment in private equity markets in eastern Europe is hard work, but enthusiasts reckon it's worth the effort. "In private equity we're sweating a lot trying to turn a profit, and then we look next door and see those guys making a lot of money buying and selling in the public markets," says Philippe Belot, a senior banker at the EBRD. But "we'll be better off in the longer term. We're betting on an upturn in these economies."

The development of Chile's domestic securitization market is gathering pace, with half a dozen transactions in the pipeline following the groundbreaking deal launched in January by Transa Securitizadora. As Euromoney went to press, Transa was about to launch a second offering, consisting of $9.7 million of notes backed by mortgage loans.

When Alan Smith returned to work he took no chances. The former head of Jardine Fleming finished his six months of gardening leave on April 1. Not wanting to look a fool he started a week later.

For a year the US Justice Department has been investigating whether or not Citibank violated federal money-laundering statutes through its private banking relationship with Raul Salinas de Gortari. Now the big question is looming: will Citibank, the banking unit of Citicorp, be indicted or, at the very least, end up paying a big fine?

FX Poll 1997: Taken aback by a leap forward

Even in the age-conscious Euromarket where the best and the brightest, like policemen, seem to get younger, Bill Winters is a classic example of a fast-track career. Still only 35, he runs all of JP Morgan's fixed-income activities in Europe. Given Morgan's surge in primary underwriting and inherent strengths in swaps and derivatives, this makes him one of the most important individuals in the Euromarket. "Bill Winters' position is not dissimilar to Jimmy Forese at Salomon Brothers in London but Bill carries the Morgan calling card which gives him a definite advantage," comments a former Salomon managing director.

The niceties of custody hardly apply in emerging markets. Clients care more about settling on time than they do about sophisticated services. Banks concentrate on the basics and the breakdown of the market into customer groups is a long way off. James Featherstone reports on the latest developments in Latin America.

Revolutionary changes are afoot in South Korea. Spurred on by recent scandals, it is poised to scrap state control of the economy and introduce a true free market. But foreigners still find it tough. Maggie Ford reports.

A special report prepared by Bank Austria and Investmentbank Austria

What's the story with William Watt, the head of niche bond specialist PaineWebber International who is still considered by some to have been "the best floating-rate note trader in the history of the market"? On April 18 there was a terse newsflash saying that Michael O'Hanlon, chief economist and head of research at the firm, was being made head of all fixed income.