Manila - The Asian Development Bank said Friday that it returned to the US dollar bond market with a 1.25-billion-dollar five-year global benchmark bond issue.

The Manila-based bank said the proceeds of the issue would be used to finance its non-concessional operations.

It added that it plans to raise about 9 billion dollars in 2008.

Thursday's issue was lead-managed by BNP Paribas, JP Morgan and Nomura. The bonds are to mature on September 5, 2013, and were priced at 99.552 per cent to yield 67.25 basis points over the 3.375 per cent US Treasury note.

"We are very satisfied with the transaction and the robust demand from investors, which resulted in an oversubscribed book," bank treasurer Mikio Kashiwagi said.

"The interest from central banks is the highest we have seen, reflecting the high quality of the order book," he added.

The bank said 92 per cent of the bonds issued Thursday were bought by central banks, 6 per cent by fund managers and 2 per cent by banks.

It added that about 44 per cent of the bonds were placed in Europe, the Middle East and Africa; 34 per cent in Asia; and 22 per cent in the Americas. (dpa)