Banking & Finance | Europe

Bär & Karrer advises clients in the financial sector on a wide array of regulatory matters, such as licence applications. The law firm also acts for both lenders and borrowers on a range of financing matters, including sustainability-linked credit facilities, corporate finance, security-backed facilities and acquisition finance. Clients benefit from the team's collaboration with its market-leading M&A team. The firm deals both with domestic and cross-border matters, including investigations by the US DOJ. It is a particularly popular choice with clients from the insurance sector.

Homburger is a stellar practice that is particularly active in acquisition finance mandates. The law firm is popular with both lenders and borrowers for advice on the negotiation of new financing agreements, including revolving credit facilities and sustainability financing. Homburger additionally offers a strong practice acting for banks on regulatory matters, including in innovative areas such as cryptocurrency and tokenisation, as well as FINMA authorisations.

Lenz & Staehelin possesses wide-ranging expertise in financing transactions, assisting both lenders and borrowers. The practice regularly advises on acquisition finance mandates, spin-off and IPO financing, and multicurrency corporate credit facilities as well as project financing. The law firm also handles non-contentious regulatory mandates relating to banking mergers and takeovers. The team plays a key role in the development of Swiss legislation with a focus on derivatives trading. The lawyers also advise domestic clients on criminal and regulatory investigations, such as enforcement proceedings.

Niederer Kraft Frey has an excellent reputation for advising domestic and international clients on acquisition financing, revolving credit agreements and syndicated lending. The team also focuses on the refinancing of bank mortgages and restructurings. Much of the law firm's work has cross-border elements. The team also has experience in regulatory mandates, including representing clients in contentious matters before FINMA or cantonal authorities.

Baker McKenzie advises corporate borrowers, international private equity sponsors and domestic banks on lending agreements, including revolving bridge and credit facilities and syndicated financing. The team also works on broad regulatory matters, including assisting clients with obtaining regulatory approval. Team members are additionally regarded for their work on refinancing matters.

Pestalozzi is a recognised practice with strong expertise in cross-border financing matters, such as revolving syndicated facilities agreements. The firm also handles acquisition financing arrangements, project financing and debt refinancing matters. Team members have further experience advising on regulatory issues.

Schellenberg Wittmer is a renowned law firm that advises clients on regulatory mandates, including on the implementation of new banking legislation in Switzerland and interactions with banking authorities. On the transactional side, the team advises on syndicated credit facilities and acquisition finance. Schellenberg Wittmer also handles the local implementation of the cross-border restructuring of loan agreements.

Walder Wyss houses an experienced team that acts for Swiss and international lenders and sponsors, as well as borrowers from the financial sector. The law firm regularly advises on acquisition financing, syndicated lending, revolving credit facility agreements and asset-based financing. It also assists banks and other financial services clients with regulatory matters and has expertise in structured products.

CMS is a well-regarded team acting for domestic and international banks and financial institutions on a range of banking and finance services, including real estate finance, refinancing and regulatory issues. The law firm represents lenders and investors in cross-border financing transactions, where clients benefit from the its broad international network.

Based in Geneva, FBT Attorneys at Law assists domestic and international banks and other financial institutions with regulatory advisory matters. The team advises on anti-money laundering regulations, bank share capital issues and the setting up of funds, as well as on Swiss and cross-border licensing matters. The practice also defends clients in banking litigation and assists with financing transactions.

Advestra assists clients with refinancing and acquisition financing transactions. The law firm also offers experience in regulatory matters, including the establishment of new financial services companies. The team is a popular choice with lenders, advising on bridge loans, unsecured credit facility agreements and parallel credit agreements. It also advises sponsors and borrowers.

MLL Legal acts for banks and financial services companies on regulatory and contractual mandates, such as FINMA licensing matters and compliance with new Swiss financial services regulations. Team members have experience in matters involving cryptocurrency, tokenisation and payment services. The firm further advises on financing mandates, including sustainability-linked arrangements and financial restructurings. The team also handles financial transactions such as syndicated loans and revolving credit facility agreements, on which it advises lenders and borrowers.

VISCHER advises on acquisition and growth finance, fund finance and refinancing matters. Team members are particularly active for Swiss, US and other international investment firms and debt fund lenders as well as borrowers from the healthcare and life sciences sector. The law firm also has expertise in advising banks and insurance companies on regulatory and banking secrecy compliance matters, including in novel areas such as tokenisation, and additionally acts in banking litigation.

Wenger Vieli assists banks and clients in the financial sector with regulatory mandates in connection with licensing processes before FINMA. The law firm further works on financing mandates, including acquisition and asset financing as well as corporate loans involving bilateral and syndicated loan agreements. Wenger Vieli has experience in both domestic and multi-jurisdictional financing transactions.