Banking & Finance
Europe Guide 2024 : France
Band 5
About
Provided by Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie's Banking & Finance team in Paris is renowned for its cross-border activities in particular advising our clients on Trade & Export Finance, Project Finance, Acquisition Finance, Syndicated Lending and Fund Finance.
The team's expertise in Export Finance continues to be increasingly important in France. With Export and Structured Trade Finance playing a key role in providing essential liquidity to leading French manufacturers. Our extensive representation of French banks in cross-border deals covered by Bpifrance, Euler Hermes, SERV and other ECAs is increasingly high profile, particularly on the African continent, where the team has been consistently recognised as having a market leading practice.
The team is further renowned for its strong presence in bank-to-bank syndicated lending. In addition, the team is heavily involved in the new area of Sustainable Finance, working with leading banks in providing ESG linked loans to banks and corporates seeking to access this new area of financial investment. Finally, the tream has a leading practice in fund financing, particularly in refinancing LBO loans.
Chambers Review
Baker McKenzie's solid banking practice utilises its international offices and associated firms across Europe, Africa and Asia to advise on multi-jurisdictional mandates. The team regularly handles syndicated lending and project finance, with particular skill in export finance transactions. The lawyers act for a number of leading French and international banks.
Work Highlights
- Baker McKenzie advised SMBC Bank and MUFG Bank on a USD400 million syndicated loan supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency to African Export-Import Bank.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Baker McKenzie is excellent. The team has real depth and experience."
"They have been instrumental. Thanks to their wealth of experience, it smoothed the process negotiating the terms."
"The lawyers have a solution-based approach tied to a very good understanding of the commercial aspects of transactions."
"Baker McKenzie is excellent. The team has real depth and experience."
"They have been instrumental. Thanks to their wealth of experience, it smoothed the process negotiating the terms."
"The lawyers have a solution-based approach tied to a very good understanding of the commercial aspects of transactions."
Notable Practitioners
Michael Foundethakis is qualified to practise in France, the Republic of Ireland and the UK. He advises on project finance as well as structured trade and export finance. He has particular strength in cross-border work, with clients including leading international financial institutions and activity involving African jurisdictions.
"He has excellent experience in ECA-covered deals."
"Michael has been extremely helpful, both in terms of meeting tough deadlines as well as giving practical advice to get transactions over the line."
"He is very available, reactive and importantly has a good way of explaining things."
Ranked Lawyers at
Baker McKenzie
France
Members
Provided by Baker McKenzie
Clients
Provided by Baker McKenzie
Ardian
Afreximbank
BNP Paribas
Bank of America
MUFG
Société Générale
Industries
Provided by Baker McKenzie
Energy
Finance
Healthcare
Manufacturing
Mining & Infrastructure
Telecoms