China led the Asia-Pacific region in capitalofferings in the first half, raising a total of US$12.92 billion, but wassecond in terms of number of offerings, at six.

Indian banks were the busiest during the half,with 19 common equityofferings, though the country came in a distant second in amountraised at US$1.10 billion. South Korea came in third with four offeringsraising US$1.01 billion.

SNL Financial-covered banks in Asia raisedjust US$16.55 billion through 38 offerings during the first six months of theyear, down 62.0% in value compared to US$43.61 billion via 64 offerings in theprior-year half.

Fourcommon equity offerings by Chinese banks topped the rankings of capital raisesin the region, with two coming through IPOs by andBank of Tianjin Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific banks generated US$10.13 billionin common equity offerings, down 58.1% from the prior-year half's total ofUS$24.17 billion. The number of common equity offerings also declined, from 56offerings a year ago to 35 in 2016.

Chinese banks also made up the bulk of theregion's preferred equity offerings during the half. completed thelargest preferred equity offering at US$3.07 billion to replenish its capital.Hua Xia Bank Co. Ltd.raised US$2 million less in its own preferred equity offering at the end ofMarch.

There were only three preferred equityofferings in the first half, compared to eight in the year-ago period. These offeringsraised US$6.42 billion, significantly down from US$19.44 billion in the 2015first half.