The firm has a leading banking, finance and debt capital markets practice, and consistently represents major domestic, UK, US and other global commercial banks, investment banks and financial institutions. Our practice covers all aspects of banking, finance, debt capital markets and restructuring including bank recapitalisations, bank lending and acquisition finance, asset finance, leveraged finance, real estate finance, structured finance and securitisations, derivatives and all related financial instruments, financial services regulation, restructuring and insolvency, debt and corporate restructurings and all recovery matters.

Our firm has played an important role in the recapitalisation of Greek banks. We have advised key investors in Greek banks on their investment participation and have provided assistance in connection with all regulatory requirements, including filing applications with Greek regulatory authorities, such as the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and the Bank of Greece. Our firm has long-standing experience in assisting investors of Greek financial institutions with all continued regulatory and tax requirements and has also provided advice to funds in connection with their divestment of equity and of other securities of Greek financial institutions.

Further, we have advised foreign investors at all stages of the acquisition process of equities of Greek banks and in the sale of assets by Greek banks. Our work has entailed covering a full due diligence of the relevant targets and their assets and assisting in the drafting and negotiation of all sale and purchase documents and regulatory approvals. Our due diligence has encompassed, inter alia, real estate assets owned by financial institutions, loan portfolios, licences, due diligence of subsidiaries and of core and non-core assets, management agreements, key contracts, constitutional documents and the full regulatory regime applicable to the targets.

We regularly advise clients on all types of financing transactions, including commercial loans, revolving credit facilities, syndicated loans, secured and unsecured financings, real estate financings, asset-based loans, construction and development loans and letters of credit. Our expertise also encompasses the restructuring of bond and loan facilities and of all forms of debt such as notes and bonds, debt-for-equity swaps and all types of restructurings, the enforcement of securities and/ or complex restructurings of securities, and foreclosures.

We also assist clients on distressed debt trading and on the acquisition, disposal, financing and restructuring of all types of non-performing loans (NPLs), including corporate, commercial, residential and consumer loans. Our work includes advising potential buyers with respect to the legal framework of non-performing loans and the structuring of potential NPL sales. We have substantial experience in conducting due diligence, structuring NPL sale and purchase transactions and preparing all relevant documentation. Our expertise extends to enforcing collaterals pertaining to NPLs.

We regularly represent debtors, creditors and financial institutions on high-profile corporate and debt restructurings, such as restructurings under the new conciliation procedure, out-of-court corporate and debt restructurings, bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings and all pre-bankruptcy stages and procedures. We advise both creditors and debtors in conciliation and pre-bankruptcy procedures. Our advice spans from filing relevant petitions, drafting pleadings, representing clients before court hearings, offering advice in drawing up reorganisation plans and assisting with filings in connection with obtaining a moratorium. We have represented some of the largest banks as creditors in such proceedings but have also assisted debtors throughout the full reorganisation process.

The firm has further authored a significant authority on the new bankruptcy laws constituting a leading source on the new forms of bankruptcy and restructuring.

We have unparalleled expertise on debt capital markets transactions and advise in connection with the full spectrum of debt instruments. We act on the full range of debt capital markets products in connection with both public and private issuances from simple to highly structured products, bond issuances, securitisations, derivatives and structured products. We serve as counsel to bond issuers, bond buyers and underwriters and guide them throughout the bond issuance process. Our work includes drafting resolutions, offering documents, loan agreements, bond purchase agreements and disclosure agreements.

We act for both issuers and bondholders on bond issuance transactions. Our work scope involves:

- drafting and negotiating the terms of bond programmes, focusing in particular on the representations and covenants given by the issuers, as well as events that would trigger events of default;

- drafting and negotiating bond subscription agreements and advising issuers and original bond subscribers on the terms and implications of such agreements;

- drafting and negotiating bondholder agency agreements and security agreements and proceeding with the perfection and registration of security;

- drafting and reviewing the conditions precedent to bond subscriptions and managing the bond issuance process to achieve timely completion; and

- advising in connection with the restructuring of all types of bonds and bond programme agreements.

Our firm’s banking and finance practice group is recommended as a leading practice by:

The Legal 500 (2010 - 2021)

Chambers Europe (2010 - 2014)

Chambers Global (2010 - 2014)

“A top notch firm in my opinion, having worked with them in all types of finance transactions”. The Legal 500, 2021.

“Satisfied clients praise this firm's experience of cross-border deals, its responsiveness and its expertise in myriad legal areas. It advises many international and domestic corporates and banks, with a recent increase in restructuring mandates”. Chambers Europe, 2012.

The Firm “provided advice to one of the parties in connection with the €300m re-financing”. The Legal 500, 2021.

“The team is characterized by its deep knowledge of banking and finance, litigation and restructuring laws and practical issues, and offers an impressive and thorough service”. Chambers Europe, Europe’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2012.

“The service is impeccable, swift and equivalent to that of the leading international law firms”. The Legal 500, 2021.

The Firm “acted for a leading European NPL servicer, in connection with certain Greek law matters relating to setting-up its Greek NPL servicing operations”. The Legal 500, 2021.

“A real one-stop shop for any banking and finance work”. The Legal 500, 2021.

“The team is praised for its “detailed research and willingness to go the extra mile”. Chambers Europe, 2011.

“I would highly recommend this firm in this practice area. They have been active on major bond issuances and restructurings, non-performing loans, restructurings and capital markets”. The Legal 500, 2021.

“They are very well known for their financial services technology expertise (fintech) which most financial services clients are now after. The Legal 500, 2021.

“The Firm is recommended for its "sound knowledge, accurate advice and responsiveness". Chambers Europe, 2010.

The firm “is regularly called upon for regulatory and transactional advice, and is currently advising on derivatives and futures contracts with various entities. Other clients include the National Bank of Greece”. The Legal 500, 2013.

“The team’s regular clients include HSBC and EFG Eurobank Ergasias. It is also advising several overseas funds on Athens Stock Exchange activities”. The Legal 500, 2012.