Aussie debt issuance slumps 69 pct in Q1-Thomson

SYDNEY, April 1 (Reuters) - Australian debt issuance fell
69 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared with the same
period the previous year, according to Thomson data, as the
global credit crisis made life tough for borrowers.

A total of A$9 billion ($8.3 billion) was issued during the
period, excluding self-led bond offers, or bonds issued and
sold by the same institution, usually a bank.

Foreign governments and agencies accounted for the bulk of
the issuance, making up more than two-thirds of the amount
sold, reflecting investors' preference for super-safe borrowers
given the market uncertainty.

Canada's RBC Capital Markets (RY.TO) topped the league
table of brokers in the Australian market, managing the sale of
A$3 billion of bonds across 11 transactions, representing a 34
percent market share, according to Thomson.

Another Canadian, TD Securities, came second, while
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA.AX) took the third spot.
($1=A$1.09)
(Reporting by Cecile Lefort)