Banking and Finance

Opportunities in a tightening market

Borrowers and lenders face increasing pressure as leveraged finance markets tighten in the face of higher interest rates, inflation and geopolitical uncertainty. To explore new opportunities at the outset of any deal, market participants require the support of experienced, detail-oriented advisers who understand the competitive and potentially complex nature of this sector.

Expert advisers with an innovative approach

Ashurst’s global leveraged finance team advises major financial institutions, private equity houses, alternative asset managers, mezzanine financiers and corporations. Leveraged finance is a core area of expertise for Ashurst. Our team has institutional knowledge across sponsors, credit funds and banks, which means we can streamline the process for you. We have experience in the full range of leveraged.

Potential in an uncertain environment

The corporate lending market faces a potentially challenging future with changing regulations and the rise of alternative financing, blockchain-based solutions and embedded finance. To survive and thrive in this environment, lenders, borrowers and financial advisers need a well-planned, proactive strategy. 

Understanding loan markets across the world

Ashurst supports businesses across multiple industries, including manufacturing, real estate, retail, healthcare, resources, infrastructure, financial services and technology. Our cross-sector expertise and wide view of the market has positioned us to deliver clear, practical and commercial advice to move your business forward. We offer a full range of corporate financial services, from domestic mid-market funding to high-profile, multi-jurisdictional financings spanning bilateral, club and large syndicated facilities. We also have corporate lending partners in every major financial centre worldwide.

A dynamic market requiring a dynamic approach

The global volume of loan portfolio transactions has grown over the past decade, along with innovations in the sector. Market participants can benefit from the support of advisers who offer a dynamic approach to ensure an efficient, cost-effective process delivering optimal results.

Services for all types of loan portfolios

When it comes to global, loan portfolio transacting practices, Ashurst has acted for some of the most prolific sellers, investors and financing institutions in each region. In Europe, for example, we have successfully undertaken over £120 billion of portfolio transactions, all on time and within budget. Our practice offers a full suite of services to sellers, purchasers, financiers, trustees and servicers, advising on issues arising from the sale and acquisition of all types of loan portfolios in a diverse range of asset classes.

A rapidly evolving sector

Specialty finance is undergoing a transformation due to innovations in fintech, including developments such as blockchain, the Internet of Things and embedded financial services at point of sale. Participants in this sector need advisers who understand these trends, their businesses and their industries.

Expertise across asset classes

Ashurst’s sector-focused specialty finance practice reflects a wealth of experience advising corporations, major banks, non-bank financial institutions, mezzanine financiers, alternative lenders, and private equity houses. We take the time to consider the nuances of your asset class and strategic ambitions to deliver solutions that support your market offering and help drive your business forward. We can advise on all asset classes, including bridging finance (with innovative funding structures alongside more vanilla products), real estate–backed assets (including development finance, 1st and 2nd charge businesses and buy-to-let), unsecured consumer lending, asset finance, auto finance and litigation funding

Opportunities in an uncertain environment

The global outlook for funds financing is uncertain, given the relatively unstable economic climate, higher interest rates and stricter capital requirements for lenders. However, funds that remain active could benefit from new opportunities that may arise, with institutional lenders likely to grow their share of the market. There is also potential for the number of non-bank lenders to increase.

A deep understanding of the funds sector

Ashurst’s dedicated funds finance practice comprises sector experts with a deep understanding of the investment funds industry. Our track record is impressive in advising on transactions, as well as legal and regulatory matters. We also know that deal structures, financing needs and the impact of financial regulation are unique to each transaction. Whether you are a lender or fund, Ashurst can advise on a variety of financing structures, ranging from subscription finance to secondaries financing, asset-backed facilities, hybrid facilities and general partner facilities.

Creative solutions for complex challenges

We understand the direction of travel for real estate and real estate finance is increasingly complex. We work closely with our clients to find creative solutions to the challenges created by the current global macroeconomic environment and capitalise on the opportunities it presents.

Innovative transactions

Ashurst has a highly reputed real estate finance practice and is proud to have been involved in some of the highest-profile and most innovative transactions in the market globally.

We advise lenders, borrowers, arrangers, sponsors, equity providers, fund managers, investors, developers, construction companies and government authorities on high value, complex, domestic and cross-border real estate-backed debt solutions worldwide. Our work in this area spans investment, development, restructuring, structured products and innovative hybrid solutions. We also advise on a wide range of asset classes, including residential real estate, build-to-rent projects, business parks, hotels, hospitals and care homes, shopping centres, student accommodation, offices, logistics and data centres.

Considering the full spectrum of financing options

Developing and implementing complex strategic projects often involves various multi-sourced financing options. These include export credit agency and multilateral financing, government financing, commercial bank loans, Islamic financing and various capital market solutions such as project bonds.

Commercial advice and innovative solutions

Ashurst’s project finance practice provides astute commercial advice on some of the world’s most challenging strategic projects. Our objective is to work with sponsors, lenders and developers to deliver innovative solutions to project development and financing challenges. We assemble teams of experts in banking and finance, debt, capital markets, tax, insurance, planning, property, construction and dispute resolution. This enables us to identify all material risks, which we then strive to address or mitigate as appropriate across the project. Our project finance lawyers also work closely with our industry experts to provide tailored, sector-specific advice.

A period of transition

With the impact of global economic instability, geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruption, digital transformation and sustainability concerns, the infrastructure sector is experiencing a period of transition. Accordingly, any participant in infrastructure finance transactions must tread carefully at every stage when investing in or raising funds for new projects.

Relevant, sector-specific advice

Ashurst’s infrastructure finance practice offer sophisticated legal expertise in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, leveraged and acquisition finance, private public partnerships, project finance, project and utility bonds, and bank/bond transactions. We regularly act for sponsors, public sector agencies, contractors, equity investors and debt financiers, so we understand the concerns of all participants in transactions. The practice works closely with our corporate, regulatory, and energy and resources teams, enabling us to deliver the most relevant, practical, sector-specific advice.