Initial guidance went out at 8pc area then firmed to 7.80~7.90pc, finally pricing in the middle at 7.85pc. Sources away generally pointed out that a 7.85pc yield was attractive enough to help move bonds while others were Book size was USD 380mm from 48 accounts—obviously all new to the name. UK allocation was 38pc, Germany 17pc, Asia 16pc, Scandinavia 14pc, Switzerland 10pc and others 11pc. Asset managers got 63pc, banks 21pc and private banks 16pc. Use of proceeds was for general financing purposes. Set up in 1997 by the City of Astana, Astana Finance is a non-banking financial institution conducting individual bank operations. Part of its activity is the provision of development finance (mainly long-term leasing, project finance and mortgage lending) and making equity investments in Astana and the surrounding Akmola region. The City of Astana (the capital of Kazakhstan) currently owns 30.12pc of the share capital and has been supportive of Astana Finance to-date in terms of equity injections, subsidized funding, first refusal on investments, etc. It reported under IFRS total assets and total capital funds of USD 298mm and USD 100mm respectively as of 30 September 2005.