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The article reports on Vietnamese company Vincom's sale of convertible bonds on the international market for the first time. The transaction was characterized by support from the government, regulatory flexibility and a high level of disclosure. The property company's bond issue was valued at 100 million U.S. dollars and is considered the first international bond from Vietnam since a sovereign bond issue in 2005.

The article focuses on statements issued by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) in defense over accusations of a failure to monitor banks selling Lehman Brothers-linked minibonds. investors filed complaints of being misled over the risk of these minibonds, following the bankruptcy of Lehman. According to SFC chief executive Martin Wheatley, investors should have examined what they were purchasing.

The article offers information on new rules from China's Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), which will allow shareholders of listed companies in China to issue exchangeable bonds. Issued on October 17, 2008, the rules stated that shareholders need to have net assets of at least 3 million Chinese yuan in order to qualify for exchangeable bond issuance. Zhang Xin of Global Law Offices, non-controlling shareholders are not discriminated under the rules.

The article offers information on First Gen Corporation's issue of 300 million U.S. dollars worth of five-year convertible bonds wherein Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker served as international counsel. The transaction was initially at 225 million U.S. dollars but was raised after the manager's over-allotment option was exercised. According to Robert Panlilio, senior country manager of JP Morgan Chase Bank, the transaction was oversubscribed and closed within two hours of its launch.