Global Germany Banking & Finance

Clifford Chance boasts an excellent banking and finance practice which is recognised for its work on complex domestic as well as multi-jurisdictional financing transactions. The team covers a broad spectrum ranging from direct lending and acquisition finance to syndicated loans and unitranche financing. Its clientele of well-known German and international corporates and banks from both the borrower and lender sides further illustrates the firm's standing in the market. Clients also enjoy the regulatory offering at Clifford Chance, with the team advising on matters including industry master agreements, tokenisation and post-Brexit reorganisation. The department is additionally versed in handling bank insolvencies as well as banking compliance and litigation.

The banking and finance team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is renowned for its standing among high-profile lenders, corporate borrowers and sponsors. The team excels in all types of lending transactions, regularly playing starring roles in cross-border acquisitions, and corporate and leveraged finance deals, as well as novel financing structures. Further prowess in handling restructuring, project and asset finance mandates complements the firm's holistic offering. The regulatory team maintains its reputation as a market-leading one, routinely handling large mandates concerning bank M&A, fintech and reorganisations in the financial services sector. The team also represents clients in contentious matters at national and EU level, including in BaFin enforcement proceedings and before the EGC.

The team at Linklaters is well regarded by peers and clients alike and offers extensive coverage of all areas of financing. Being highly visible on high-end, cross-border corporate finance transactions, the team offers further capabilities in project and debt finance. In conjunction with its other departments, Linklaters is also a top choice for M&A financings. Furthermore, the law firm benefits from an outstanding regulatory team, which regularly advises on banking M&A and restructuring, fintech and compliance matters. The team also assists with Brexit implications. Its clientele consists of well-known German and international corporates and banks.

Milbank is a well-reputed law firm advising clients across its Frankfurt and Munich offices on a broad range of banking and finance issues. The team is particularly active on complex leveraged finance, refinancing and acquisition finance transactions, and offers noteworthy expertise in syndicated loans and alternative lending structures including Schuldschein loans. Due to its strong global network, the team is well placed to handle multi-jurisdictional deals. Its clientele, which consists of large corporates, private equity funds and multinational lending consortiums, further evidences the firm's presence in the market and strong visibility among both borrowers and lenders.

The team at Noerr offers a broad coverage of banking and finance matters, regularly advising corporates, banks and government entities. Recognised for its capabilities in transactional work, the firm further benefits from its regulatory expertise, which holistically covers issues such as MiFID II and AML as well as BaFin proceedings. The team also assists with licensing issues and online payment services as well as M&A in the financial industry.

The Frankfurt-based banking and finance team at White & Case is recognised for its ability to lead complex, international deals across all major financial markets. The firm covers a broad array of issues ranging from corporate and acquisition finance to project finance and comes recommended for term loan B facilities, particularly with regard to facility amendments. White & Case further benefits from its regulatory expertise, which forms the final pillar of the practice, with the team advising financial services providers on M&A deals, administrative proceedings and digitalisation, as well as AML compliance.

Due to its broad finance practice, Norton Rose Fulbright is experienced in handling a variety of matters including corporate and acquisition finance, refinancings, projects and real estate finance, with expertise in syndicated loan agreements. The team predominantly represents lenders, with a substantial client base consisting of domestic state banks and international financial institutions. The firm is also noted for its advice on aircraft financing and is respected for its low and mid-cap offering.

Particularly recommended for cross-border transactions with a US and UK angle, Shearman & Sterling is well placed to advise on leveraged and acquisition financing deals. Additionally, the team covers refinancing and corporate lending, with notable expertise in syndicated lending transactions. Its client base consists of domestic and international lenders, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors, which further illustrates the law firm's holistic coverage.

Baker McKenzie regularly advises well-known German and international clients such as banks and debt funds on a wide array of finance matters. The team is particularly experienced in handling acquisition financing, often acting for lenders and syndicates on cross-border transactions. The law firm also assists with exit financings and revolving credit facilities. Baker McKenzie complements its offering with experience in project and real estate financing.

The Frankfurt-based banking and finance team at Hogan Lovells focuses on acquisition, real estate and project finance transactions, often involving different jurisdictions. The law firm provides additional expertise in refinancing, debt restructuring and corporate lending, as well as assisting with amendments to existing facilities. Hogan Lovells also boasts regulatory capabilities, in particular in the areas of fintech products and outsourcings as well as bank M&A mandates. The team's advisory strength is further complemented by its ability to handle litigation in European courts pertaining to the Single Resolution Board. Its clientele ranges from leading German banks and corporates to public institutions and international debt funds.

Mayer Brown enters the rankings due to its increased visibility in the German market. The team regularly advises specialty lenders and well-known international banks on acquisition finance transactions, including bank M&A and the financing of P2P takeovers. Further expertise lies in assisting borrowers, such as with revolving credit facilities and infrastructure acquisition financing. Mayer Brown is particularly visible in the real estate, telecommunications and manufacturing sectors. Its expansive international office network renders the firm a robust choice for cross-border mandates.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher is recognised for its expertise in a variety of banking and finance issues, with a particular focus on acquisition finance transactions. The law firm further assists with restructurings of existing facilities and frequently draws on its large international network to handle cross-border matters. The team's clientele consists predominantly of medium-sized and large private equity funds, which the firm assists with banking matters in close cooperation with its private equity team.