Department profile
Astera Legal

Banking & Finance

Germany Guide 2026 : Germany


Astera Legal

Rankings

About

Provided by Astera Legal

Astera Legal stands out for its top-tier legal advice, client focus, and strong PE relationships (ARCHIMED, Quadriga, Fremman, CAPVIS, Permira). Their market insights and broad network enable proactive responses to market shifts. 90% of deals are multi-jurisdictional (Europe, UK, US, Asia), with 90% of clients European. As German counsel, they often lead German financings. Their deep market intelligence, fueled by an extensive network including international firms like, allows them to anticipate and respond effectively to market changes.

Key transactions include advising ARCHIMED on the ZYTOMICS recapitalization, Permira on the valantic refinancing, Armira on two acquisitions, Fremman Capital on the rehaneo acquisition, and representing lenders on financings for AUCTUS, Quadriga, Raiffeisenlandesbank, and Paragon.

Another highlight includes advising a leading financial investor on the complex refinancing of a pan-European retail group, involving multiple jurisdictions and intricate security structures. Astera Legal's expertise in cross-border transactions and distressed situations was crucial in achieving a successful outcome for the client. Their strategic vision, responsiveness, and collaborative approach were key to navigating the complexities and securing a favorable resolution.

Clients (22)

  • Permira Credit
  • ARCHIMED
  • Ardian
  • Armira
  • AUCTUS
  • Blue Cap AG
  • Capvis
  • DUBAG
  • EMZ
  • Equistone
  • Fremman
  • FSN
  • GRIP
  • NordLB
  • Paragon
  • Quadriga
  • RAG-Stiftung
  • Raiffeisenlandesbank Oberösterreich
  • SEVEST
  • Sparkasse Pforzheim Calw
  • Sparkase Rhein-Nahe
  • Volksbank eG - die Gestalterbank

Industries (5)

  • Finance
  • Restructuring
  • Private Equity
  • Acquisition Finance
  • Leveraged Finance

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - Germany

Band 5

Band 5


What the Team is Known For

Astera Legal has established a reputable banking and finance practice that caters to a range of German and international debt funds, private equity firms and banks. The law firm specialises in borrower-side acquisition finance as well as growth finance.

Wofür das Team bekannt ist

Astera Legal verfügt über eine angesehene Praxis im Bank- und Finanzrecht, die eine Vielzahl deutscher und internationaler Debt-Fonds, Private-Equity-Gesellschaften und Banken betreut. Die Kanzlei ist spezialisiert auf Akquisitionsfinanzierungen auf Kreditnehmerseite sowie Wachstumsfinanzierungen.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Astera Legal advised Archimed on a cross-border refinancing.

  • Astera Legal beriet Archimed bei einer grenzüberschreitenden Refinanzierung.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team stands out for its technical skills, responsiveness and friendliness.

    Banking & Finance respondentGermany
  • Astera Legal offers a profound knowledge of the market standards as well as high standards of quality for the delivered work and a very pleasant working relationship.

    Banking & Finance respondentGermany
  • The Astera Legal lawyers are very solution-oriented. They don't negotiate needlessly and are good at picking battles.

    Banking & Finance respondentGermany
  • Astera Legal stands out through its rare combination of deep legal expertise and strategic, entrepreneurial thinking.

    Banking & Finance respondentGermany
  • Astera Legal offers great attention to detail and has very commercially minded partners.

    Banking & Finance respondentGermany
  • Astera Legal bietet fundierte Kenntnisse der Marktstandards sowie hohe Qualitätsstandards für die geleistete Arbeit und ein sehr angenehmes Arbeitsverhältnis.

    Banking & Finance respondentGermany

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 4Bernd Egbers
    Band 4Bernd Egbers

    Bernd Egbers

    Bernd Egbers is a well-known practitioner who is an experienced adviser to borrowers and sponsors, including leading banks, debt funds and startups. His expertise includes LBOs and acquisition financing, refinancings and corporate loans.

    Bernd Egbers ist ein anerkannter Experte und erfahrener Berater für Kreditnehmer und Investoren, darunter führende Banken, Debt-Fonds und Startups. Seine Expertise umfasst fremdfinanzierte Übernehmen (LBOs) und Akquisitionsfinanzierungen, Refinanzierungen und Unternehmenskredite.

    • Bernd Egbers knows the market and is well connected in the industry.

      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • He is very proactive; he doesn't just point out problems but finds solutions and suggests those in the best interest of the client that also reflect the reality of the market.

      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • He offers a very good mixture between legal expertise and understanding what is commercially important - he is really well rounded.

      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • He is a really good negotiator, finds good compromises and prioritises well.

      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • I would highlight Bernd Egbers' incredible technical skills and ability to translate this to practical advice.

      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • Er ist ein wirklich guter Verhandler, findet gute Kompromisse und setzt Prioritäten gut.
      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • Er ist sehr proaktiv; er benennt nicht nur Probleme, sondern findet Lösungen und schlägt solche vor, die im besten Interesse des Kunden liegen und gleichzeitig die Realität des Marktes widerspiegeln.
      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • Bernd Egbers kennt den Markt und ist in der Branche bestens vernetzt.
      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • Ich möchte Bernd Egbers' unglaubliche technische Fähigkeiten hervorheben und seine Fähigkeit, diese in praktische Ratschläge umzusetzen.

      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • Er bietet eine sehr gute Mischung aus juristischer Expertise und Verständnis für wirtschaftliche Belange – er ist wirklich ein sehr vielseitiger Anwalt.

      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
  • Band 5Isabell Hitzer
    Band 5Isabell Hitzer

    Isabell Hitzer

    Isabell Hitzer advises banks, direct lenders and sponsors, and is particularly active on acquisition finance transactions.

    Isabell Hitzer berät Banken, Direktkreditgeber und Sponsoren und ist insbesondere im Bereich der Akquisitionsfinanzierung tätig.
    • She manages expectations very well and has a really good grasp of the industry and market reality.

      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • Isabell Hitzer has the market know-how. She gets the best out of negotiations, gets the points across that we want and gets us the outcomes we want.

      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • She is very smart, sophisticated and an excellent lawyer.

      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • Sie ist sehr intelligent, weltgewandt und eine hervorragende Anwältin.
      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • Isabell Hitzer verfügt über das nötige Markt-Know-how. Sie holt das Beste aus Verhandlungen heraus, bringt unsere Anliegen klar zum Ausdruck und erzielt die gewünschten Ergebnisse.
      Banking & Finance respondentGermany
    • Sie geht sehr gut mit Erwartungen um und hat ein wirklich gutes Verständnis für die Branche und die Marktrealität.
      Banking & Finance respondentGermany

Ranked Individuals at Astera Legal (2)

Germany

Members

Provided by Astera Legal

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