Banking & Finance

The Firm’s lawyers have a long history and reputation in the banking and financial services industry in Lebanon and the Firm’s banking and finance practice group is one of the largest and broadest based practices among Lebanese law firms. The Firm currently acts as external legal counsel to several banks (local, regional, international) and financial institutions.

The Firm advises on the full range of banking and related regulatory matters and the team has been actively involved in major financing transactions that have taken place in Lebanon.

Selected Matters

  • The Firm advised a Lebanese bank on a US$300 Million financing provided to a Lebanese company for the purpose of enabling it to purchase a minority stake in a Tier 1 Lebanese bank operating in Lebanon and the Middle East.
  • The Firm advised two Lebanese banks on the arranging and underwriting of a US$162 Million project finance facility granted in connection with the construction and development of a commercial mall in Beirut.
  • The Firm advised two Lebanese banks on the arranging and underwriting of a US$303 Million project finance facility in the power sector.
  • The Firm advised a Lebanese company on a US$250 Million facility provided by a consortium of Lebanese banks for the purpose of enabling the company to purchase a real estate portfolio from a bank seeking to divest part of its real estate assets.
  • The Firm acted as local counsel as to Lebanese law for a syndicate of foreign banks in connection with the arranging and underwriting of a US$325 Million facility granted to a Lebanese company for the purpose of enabling it to refinance existing facilities.
  • The Firm advised a Lebanese bank on a US$140 Million financing granted to a shareholder in connection with his buy-out of the shares of the remaining shareholders in a group of companies operating in Lebanon and abroad in the insurance industry.
  • The Firm advised a Saudi based group on a US$1,1 Billion syndicated facility arranged by a major global bank to be used to refinance existing facilities and for general investment purposes.
  • The Firm advised a leading Lebanese bank on a US$340 Million syndicated project financing to a world leading company in construction material in connection with the construction of a cement plant in Syria.
  • The Firm advised a foreign government agency in connection with the grant of a €30 Million loan to the Lebanese Republic.
  • The Firm advised a foreign government agency in connection with the grant of a US$9,5 Million loan to a Lebanese hospital.
  • The Firm advised a foreign government agency in connection with the grant of a €15 Million loan to a university in Lebanon.
  • The Firm advised a Luxembourg fund on a number of financing transactions entered into with Lebanese banks, financial institutions and NGOs to enable them to provide loans to SMEs and/or micro credits.
  • The Firm advised a prominent law firm in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Lebanese banking laws and regulations, particularly in relation to the ownership of Lebanese banks shares, regarding the participation of their client, a major Emirati investment group, in the public bid invitation organized by the Lebanese Central Bank for takeover of its participation share in a Lebanese bank.
  • The Firm advised a Qatari bank and its Lebanese subsidiary at that time on the incorporation of a Lebanese investment and medium and long term credit bank.
  • The Firm advised a Qatari Islamic bank and its Lebanese subsidiary regarding the restructuring of such subsidiary.