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Ranking tables

Europe Switzerland Banking & Finance

A broad-based definition of banking transactions, which include both borrower and lender clients. The following topics are included: Acquisition finance: transactions involving arranging finance for acquisitions acting for either the lender or the borrower; Islamic Finance: Sharia-compliant work such as acquisitions, forming funds to invest in real estate and commercial properties, issuing of Sukuks; General bank lending: syndicated lending, structured finance, leveraged finance, NPLs; Project finance: financing of infrastructure and industrial projects.; Refinancing: The refinancing and restructuring of existing loans and debtor in possession financing is also included. Where there isn’t a dedicated Restructuring / Insolvency section, work relating to restructuring in distressed situations, bankruptcy and insolvency is also considered here.

1
Band 1
  1. Bär & Karrer Ltd
    1
    Bär & Karrer Ltd
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Bär & Karrer advises clients in the financial sector on a wide array of regulatory matters, such as licence applications. The law firm also acts for both lenders and borrowers on a range of financing matters, including debt refinancing, sustainability-linked credit facilities, corporate finance, security-backed facilities and acquisition finance. Clients benefit from the team's collaboration with its market-leading M&A team. The firm deals both with domestic and cross-border matters, including investigations by the US DOJ. It is a particularly popular choice with clients from the insurance sector.
  2. Homburger
    1
    Homburger
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Homburger is a stellar practice that is particularly active in acquisition finance mandates. The law firm is popular with both lenders and borrowers for advice on the negotiation of new financing agreements, including revolving credit facilities and sustainability financing. Homburger additionally offers a strong practice acting for banks on regulatory matters, including in innovative areas such as cryptocurrency and tokenisation, as well as FINMA authorisations.
  3. Lenz & Staehelin
    1
    Lenz & Staehelin
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Lenz & Staehelin possesses wide-ranging expertise in financing transactions, including high-value acquisition finance and real estate finance agreements. The practice regularly advises lenders and borrowers on financing mandates, including sustainability-linked credit facility agreements. The firm also handles non-contentious regulatory mandates relating to banking mergers and takeovers. The team plays a key role in the development of Swiss legislation with a focus on derivatives trading. The lawyers also advise domestic clients on criminal and regulatory investigations, such as enforcement proceedings.
  4. Niederer Kraft Frey
    1
    Niederer Kraft Frey
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 1 |
    Niederer Kraft Frey has an excellent reputation for advising domestic and international clients on acquisition financing, revolving credit agreements and syndicated lending. The team also focuses on the refinancing of bank mortgages and restructurings. Much of the firm's work has cross-border elements. The team also has experience in regulatory matters, including representing clients in contentious matters before FINMA or cantonal authorities.
2
Band 2
  1. Baker McKenzie
    2
    Baker McKenzie
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Baker McKenzie advises corporate borrowers, international private equity sponsors and domestic banks on lending agreements, including revolving bridge and credit facility agreements and syndicated financing. The team also works on broad regulatory matters, including assisting clients with obtaining regulatory approval. Team members are well regarded for their work on refinancing matters.
  2. Pestalozzi
    2
    Pestalozzi
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Pestalozzi is a recognised practice with strong expertise in cross-border financing matters, such as revolving syndicated facilities agreements and export finance agreements. The firm also handles acquisition financing arrangements, project financing and debt refinancing matters. Team members have further experience advising on regulatory issues.
  3. Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
    2
    Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Schellenberg Wittmer is a renowned firm that advises clients on regulatory mandates, including on the implementation of new banking legislation in Switzerland. The law firm also assists clients with banking secrecy regulations. On the transactional side, the firm advises on syndicated loan facilities and acquisition finance. The team also handles the local implementation of the cross-border restructuring of loan agreements.
  4. Walder Wyss Ltd
    2
    Walder Wyss Ltd
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 2 |
    Walder Wyss is an experienced team that acts for Swiss and international lenders, borrowers and investment funds. The law firm regularly advises on acquisition financing, syndicated lending, revolving credit facility agreements and asset-based financing.
3
Band 3
  1. CMS
    3
    CMS
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 3 |
    CMS is a well-regarded team acting for domestic and international banks and financial institutions on a range of banking and finance services, including real estate finance, refinancing and regulatory issues. The law firm represents lenders and borrowers in cross-border financing transactions. Clients benefit from the firm's broad international network.
  2. FBT Attorneys at Law
    3
    FBT Attorneys at Law
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 3 |
    Based in Geneva, FBT Attorneys at Law assists domestic and international banks and other financial institutions with regulatory advisory matters. The team advises on anti-money laundering regulations, as well as on licensing processes within the context of new legislation relating to financial services in Switzerland. The practice also defends clients in banking litigation and assists with financing transactions.
4
Band 4
  1. Advestra
    4
    Advestra
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Advestra enters the rankings this year following impressive work assisting clients with refinancing and acquisition financing transactions. The law firm also offers experience in regulatory matters, including the establishment of new financial services companies. The team is a popular choice with lenders, advising on bridge loans, unsecured credit facility agreements and parallel credit agreements.
  2. MLL Legal Ltd
    4
    MLL Legal Ltd
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 4 |
    MLL Legal acts for banks and financial services companies on regulatory and contractual mandates, such as FINMA licensing matters and compliance with the new Swiss financial services regulations. Team members have experience in matters involving cryptocurrency, tokenisation and payment services. The firm further advises on financing mandates, including sustainability-linked financing arrangements and financial restructurings. The team also handles financial transactions such as syndicated loans and revolving credit facility agreements.
  3. VISCHER
    4
    VISCHER
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 4 |
    VISCHER advises on acquisition finance transactions. The firm further advises on refinancing and project financing matters, as well as debt financing. Team members also have experience in regulatory and banking secrecy compliance matters, including in novel areas such as tokenisation. The team additionally acts on banking litigation.
  4. Wenger Vieli Ltd.
    4
    Wenger Vieli Ltd.
    Banking & Finance
    2023 | Band 4 |
    Wenger Vieli assists banks and clients in the financial sector with regulatory mandates in connection with licensing processes before FINMA. The firm further works on financing mandates, including acquisition and project financing deals and cross-border financing transactions involving credit facility agreements and syndicated loan agreements.