Banking & Finance
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : New Zealand
Band 1
About
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Our Banking and Finance team are long-time trusted advisors to major banks, lenders, financial institutions, and other participants in the banking and finance sector. With considerable specialist knowledge and experience, we also act for global and regional private equity sponsors and a number of New Zealand's largest corporates.
Our team is well known for our leadership in crafting complex, market-leading transactions for prominent financial institutions and corporations, and for our close relationships with the Financial Markets Authority, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Treasury, and other industry bodies.
We also play an important role helping our clients navigate the challenges posed by increased regulation, technological disruption, and greater public scrutiny.
Our team advises on all aspects of New Zealand law that apply to borrowers and lenders in the bank and mezzanine loan markets, the delivery of complex projects, the entry into and operation of derivative contracts, and the regulation and delivery of financial services.
Our specialist areas of expertise include:
- Debt Capital Markets.
- Leveraged and other acquisition financing.
- Sustainable and green finance.
- Takeover finance.
- Securitisations and repackaging transactions.
- Structured derivatives.
- Restructuring & Insolvency.
- Projects and asset finance.
- FinTech.
Chambers Review
Russell McVeagh has a leading Auckland-based transactional and regulatory practice across the full range of banking and financing arrangements in New Zealand. The law firm acts on major infrastructure financings and has noteworthy expertise in bond issuances, refinancings and acquisition financing mandates. It frequently acts for lenders on securitisations and offers strong corporate financing capability, as well as servicing clients in substantial debt restructuring.
Work Highlights
- Russell McVeagh advised the Bank of New Zealand on the issue of NZD375 million perpetual preference shares to New Zealand investors.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Russell McVeagh is the firm you need if you have really complex issues to work through that require considerable thought."
"It is never just a simple technical legal answer, but always a practical and commercially considered response."
"Russell McVeagh is the firm you need if you have really complex issues to work through that require considerable thought."
"It is never just a simple technical legal answer, but always a practical and commercially considered response."
Notable Practitioners
Guy Lethbridge is Russell McVeagh's national practice group chair and is widely viewed as a prominent figure with an enviable track record on capital markets transactions. He offers significant experience on debt and hybrid bond issuances as well as securitisation and derivatives mandates.
Deemple Budhia is very well established in the DCM sphere and offers clients significant experience on securitisation, covered bonds and derivatives transactions. She counts an impressive list of major New Zealand and regional banks among her clients.
"Deemple Budhia provides intellectual horse power, coming into her own in the bonds sector."
"Deemple Budhia has deep expertise and is a trusted advisor on some of our most important matters."
John Powell is particularly highly rated for his work on corporate financings and debt restructuring mandates. He acts for a range of domestic and multinational clients.
"John Powell has great passion in his work and always has his client's interests at the forefront. His experience and guidance is always valued."
"John Powell is very commercial, solution-oriented and abreast of industry developments."
David Weavers continues to serve an enviable client list which includes a number of multinational and New Zealand-based banks. Drawing on experience working for multinational firms in London, he offers significant insight into cross-border financings.
"David provides very commercial and savvy legal advice."
Tom Hunt is a strong practitioner in the New Zealand finance market. He is admired for his adept handling of corporate financing transactions and debt capital markets mandates.
"Tom's depth of knowledge, calm demeanour and pragmatic approach to providing advice means he always delivers beyond satisfaction."
"Tom demonstrates an excellent commercial understanding of the matters and provided timely pragmatic advice."
Jesse Fairley is a partner of Russell McVeagh based in Auckland. He has particular expertise in financing matters, especially with regards to property financing.
"Jesse is a top-level operator who always provides prompt and accurate advice. He is a trusted advisor and we really appreciate having him advise the team on important business initiatives."
"Jesse has always provided pragmatic advice and a high level of service. He has an excellent commercial understanding of the matters at hand."
Ranked Lawyers at
Russell McVeagh
New Zealand
Members
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Bevan Peachey
Head of Department
Jesse Fairley
Clients
Provided by Russell McVeagh
ANZ Bank, New Zealand
ASB Bank Limited, New Zealand
BNZ Bank New Zealand
Guardians of New Zealand Super Fund
Heartland Bank, New Zealand
IAG, New Zealand
Kiwibank, New Zealand
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
NZ Bankers' Association
New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency Limited
Westpac New Zealand Limited, New Zealand
Industries
Provided by Russell McVeagh
Banks
Education
Energy
Financial Services
Forestry and Paper
Government
Health Care
Insurance
Real Estate
Telecommunications
Utilities