Global Canada Banking & Finance

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a pre-eminent Canadian firm in the banking and finance space, with robust expertise in acquisition and project finance as well as ESG-linked credit facilities in relation to the real estate, mining and energy sectors. It is also well regarded for its experience of syndicated lending and debt financing, servicing a client base of leading domestic banks and global financial services providers. The firm is renowned for its involvement in especially high-value deals and distinguished by its nationwide and international reach. Furthermore, the firm is held in high esteem for its full-service regulatory group handling M&A transactions in the banking sector, insurance regulation, product roll-outs and anti-money laundering mandates. Clients also seek Blakes' advice on market expansions and branch set-ups in Canada. The team regularly acts as an adviser to financial institutions from the USA, Asia and Europe.

McCarthy Tétrault maintains a prominent position in the Canadian banking and finance marketplace through its representation of lenders including many of the country's largest financial institutions, as well as major foreign banks. The group has a strong presence in the structured finance and asset-based lending spaces, with further proficiency in areas such as refinancing and acquisition finance. The firm also acts on the borrower side, offering significant experience of project finance as well as construction and bridge financing. The team additionally has a strong track record advising on banking regulatory and compliance matters in relation to M&A as well as regulatory investigations and fintech mandates. The firm's expansive sector expertise ranges from TMT and infrastructure to mining and energy. Notable for its impressive reach across Canada, the firm has offices in Québec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

Torys rises to the top spot in the rankings due to its excellency in handling a broad spectrum of banking work across its Toronto and Calgary offices, aided by the firm's office in New York. The group's experience includes advising on high-end acquisition finance and project finance matters, with further strength in secured and unsecured credit facilities especially in relation to the energy, real estate and mining sectors. The team acts for a range of both lender and borrower-side clients, including leading domestic banks, insurance companies, international financial institutions and private equity funds. Furthermore, the firm's esteemed regulatory practice is notable for its advice regarding financial services M&A, insurance regulation and credit card programmes as well as consumer protection work. The handling of digital payment systems and large-scale COVID-19 relief programmes complements the firm's excellent holistic offering.

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg represents a variety of lenders and borrowers in cross-border financing and refinancing transactions. The Toronto-based firm offers further expertise in asset-based lending, acquisition and project finance, as well as large-scale COVID-19 related emergency finance transactions. Clients also benefit from the firm's strength in IPO-related credit facility arrangements and bridge financing. The group is well respected for its longstanding relationships with major Canadian banks, regularly acting for syndicates consisting of domestic and international financial institutions, as well as private equity funds and mining, energy and TMT businesses.

Fasken is a strong choice for mining finance and wider project finance mandates, offering notable expertise in relation to debt, ESG-linked finance and refinancing. It also has a strong bank lending practice and in-depth expertise in acquisition and corporate finance. Clients benefit from the firm's offices across Canada and internationally to advise on cross-border transactions. The team is well regarded for its representation of financial institutions in the establishment of revolving credit facilities and acts for a number of the country's most high-profile banks. The group further demonstrates an impressive track record in matters relating to payment systems, credit and debit card programmes and digital product distributions as well as anti-money laundering and consumer protection. It is equally well placed to handle regulatory work relating to large-scale M&A transactions.

Norton Rose Fulbright is held in high esteem for the strength of its dedicated asset-based lending practice, with an impressive track record advising chartered banks, as well as aviation, tourism and healthcare clients. The team is appreciated for its international capabilities and cross-office support, as well as its expansive presence across Canada, with offices in Alberta, Québec, Ontario and British Columbia. The firm has notable aptitude on emergency financing in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, construction finance and the negotiation of long-term credit facilities. It is recognised for its expertise in complex cross-border matters including debt and acquisition finance and refinancing as well as capital markets solutions.

Stikeman Elliott advises borrowers, lenders and sponsors on a full range of transactions, including acquisition finance, asset-based lending and aircraft finance. The firm is frequently involved in various deals across the banking and finance space, with notable experience in refinancing, restructuring and credit extensions and amendments, as well as ESG-linked and construction financing. The group regularly acts on financing matters for private equity firms, with notable experience acting on cross-border financings involving lenders and borrowers in the USA and Europe. It is well equipped to handle international transactions and frequently represents domestic and international banks. The team provides advice on the regulatory aspects of capital markets transactions including IPO-related mandates, with further experience in derivatives regulation. The firm rounds off its holistic offering with its strength in the regulatory space including cryptocurrencies and the introduction of new payment systems.

Goodmans is a prominent Toronto law firm with a strong banking and finance practice and a significant emphasis on corporate lending, acquisition and leveraged finance, and real estate financing transactions. The department demonstrates considerable experience in managing cross-border transactions and represents a number of global financial services companies. It additionally advises on financing facilities concerning the mining and cannabis sectors. The team complements its offering with further expertise in refinancing and recapitalisation mandates.

McMillan is home to a well-respected banking and finance team with a strong lender client base and wide-ranging experience encompassing construction, infrastructure, media and real estate finance transactions. The firm demonstrates additional strength in multi-creditor files and acquisition finance. The group acts for national and international financial institutions on cross-border transactions, including syndicated credit facilities and restructuring mandates. Its client list also comprises private equity sponsors, as well as manufacturing, gaming and technology companies.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt houses a highly regarded banking and finance practice in Canada that is recognised for its representation of foreign financial institutions, including US banks and hedge funds. The group handles a wide variety of traditional banking work, including asset-based lending and acquisition and project finance, with further expertise in debt financing and leveraged finance transactions. The firm advises a number of Canadian lenders and borrowers in connection with domestic and multi-jurisdictional transactions, with offices in Montréal, Toronto, Calgary and New York playing key roles. Its clients include traditional and active lenders, such as private equity and hedge funds as well as borrowers in sectors such as gaming, energy and transportation. The department also acts for a significant market share of major Canadian banks on the regulatory aspects of cross-border M&A transactions, as well as advising on regulatory matters arising from capital markets issuances and securitisations. The team is also well equipped to advise on product launches, anti-money laundering and cryptocurrency.

Bennett Jones operates an established and respected banking group known for its strength in Calgary, as well as maintaining a robust group in Toronto. Its expertise cuts across a range of sectors, but the firm is especially notable for its handling of financings in the energy, infrastructure and natural resources sectors. The group demonstrates wide-ranging expertise covering mandates such as project and acquisition finance, and is further recognised for its experience handling syndicated and asset financing work. The practice represents a varied client base comprising borrowers, as well as pension funds, hedge funds and other institutional investors. The group is also noted for its activity representing non-traditional lenders and credit providers.

Borden Ladner Gervais has a large banking and finance team operating from offices across Canada. The group acts on a wide variety of lender mandates in the real estate and natural resources sectors, as well as assisting with construction and project finance matters. The firm also often represents clients in cross-border transactions and is regularly called upon by a number of major Canadian and international banks, as well as non-traditional lenders and sponsors. It is noted for its experience in syndicated acquisition financing, secured credit agreements and refinancing. The department additionally handles a wide range of regulatory matters, including the launch of new financial products, digitalisation projects and anti-money laundering mandates.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell is a Canadian law firm with a respected banking and finance practice. The firm has notable expertise in mining finance, as well as advising clients on matters across other industry sectors, including construction, real estate, energy and manufacturing, with further presence in the cannabis market. The group frequently assists with the restructuring and amendment of credit facilities, as well as advising on project financing and mortgage loans. It offers additional proficiency in distressed debt lending and consumer finance and often acts for foreign lenders on cross-border financing transactions. The department attracts further recognition for its non-traditional lender representation.