While more than 30 banks were this morning left out of pocket after Prudential cancelled its proposed takeover of Asian peer AIA and an accompanying $21bn (€17.2bn) rights issue, a smaller group of banks were eyeing fresh opportunities from the collapse.

The 30-strong banking syndicate, led by Credit Suisse, HSBC and JP Morgan will miss out on the vast majority of underwriting fees that would have been paid out from the rights issue - although the three main banks have received some payment for their work over the last three months.