Banking & Finance
Global Guide 2024 : South Africa
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+27 11 669 9000About
Provided by Bowmans
We have experience across the spectrum of finance matters from bank finance to project finance, debt capital markets and restructuring. We handle many of the largest and most complex financings, debt restructurings and work-outs and are often involved in the development of sophisticated financial products.
We specialise in complex domestic and cross-border finance transactions and have extensive knowledge of leveraged and acquisition finance, structured finance, capital markets, project and real estate finance, derivatives, securitisation, preference share finance, subordinated debt and insolvency and restructuring.
Our expertise extends to bilateral and syndicated loans, guarantee and security issues and regulatory matters including the establishment of banks and the carrying on of lending and investment banking activities within sub-Saharan Africa.
Our depth of expertise enables us to provide advice across the entire capital structure of a transaction (from working capital facilities to hedging; equity financing to mezzanine debt).
Some of our lawyers are admitted as solicitors in England and Wales allowing us to provide seamless advice on English law governed financings in the region.
We act for corporate borrowers; corporate, commercial and investment banks and other financial institutions; trust companies and funds; and State-owned entities, regulatory bodies and governments. In recent times, we have also acted for insolvency and business rescue practitioners.
Chambers Review
Bowmans is a well-known law firm that undertakes a wide range of financial mandates incorporating acquisition and leveraged finance, corporate loan agreements and debt restructurings, as well as offering regulatory advice. Its diverse expertise includes sector-specific knowledge of the mining and real estate industries. The group represents a broad range of banking and financial clients across Africa, and has experience featuring in complex deals involving numerous parties.
Work Highlights
- Bowmans advised the National Treasury of the Republic of South Africa on providing a sustainable solution to public utility company Eskom's ZAR440 billion debt burden.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"We chose Bowmans for their expertise and international footprint. They are always happy to assist with any matter."
"The Bowmans lawyers were well organised and clear."
"They are practical, understand specialised areas and are able to handle multi-jurisdictional matters well."
"We chose Bowmans for their expertise and international footprint. They are always happy to assist with any matter."
"The Bowmans lawyers were well organised and clear."
"They are practical, understand specialised areas and are able to handle multi-jurisdictional matters well."
Notable Practitioners
Johannesburg-based Ulrike Naumann advises a number of South Africa's major banking institutions on financing and refinancing transactions. She demonstrates particular expertise in debt restructurings and syndicated loans.
"Ulrike Naumann is well trusted and regarded by banks and borrowers. She is able to conduct complex negotiations in a way that bridges the opposing parties."
Based in Cape Town, Jan Kruger is sought out by financial institutions and investment funds for his counsel on preference share transactions, acquisition financing, restructuring mandates and sustainability-linked funding.
"Jan Kruger is trusted by every lender and I will always turn to him for debt markets and banking and finance matters."
Jason Wilkinson is a Johannesburg-based lawyer who has an extensive international and domestic finance practice. He offers particularly notable experience in areas such as cross-border financing and refinancing. His practice includes prominent clients such as the National Treasury of the Republic of South Africa.
Operating from the firm's Durban office, Mark Kyle is sought out for his significant experience acting on matters including debt restructurings, acquisition finance and preference share financings.
Ranked Lawyers at
Bowmans
South Africa
Members
Provided by Bowmans
Casper van Heerden
Jason Wilkinson
Michael Swartland
Head of Department
Zwide Mhlongo
Clients
Provided by Bowmans
Absa Bank
First Rand Bank Limited
HSBC Bank plc
Harith
Helios Credit Partners
Investec Asset Management
Kleoss Capital
Nedbank Limited
Old Mutual Specialised Finance Proprietary Limited
Rand Merchant Bank Limited
Royal Bafokeng Platinum
South African Airways
Standard Bank of South Africa
Steinhoff (Pty) Limited
Industries
Provided by Bowmans
Aerospace & Defence
Banks
Chemicals
Commercial and Professional Services
Construction & Materials
Consumer Product Manufacturing
Education
Energy
Financial Services
Food & Drink Producers
Government
Healthcare
Insurance
Mining & Metals
Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
Real Estate Finance
Retail
Telecommunications
Transportation