banking and finance

“Clients rave about the ‘proactive and forward-thinking service that Bowman Gilfillan lawyers provide. They work hard to identify the problem and then solve it.” - Chambers and Partners, 2009

The Bowman Gilfillan Banking and Finance Group provides high-quality legal and transactional advice to financial institutions, corporates, state-owned entities and governments. The Group’s expertise and skill base has been built up over a substantial period of time in representing a number of South African and international blue-chip financial institutions and corporates on a broad range of transactions within the banking and finance sector.

This multi-award winning firm has a track record of providing clear and concise banking and financial legal advice, which enables clients to conclude transactions successfully. The Group is able to do this as it comprises lawyers who have a wealth of experience in the banking law and financial sectors as well as a number of committed and talented junior lawyers. This blend of professionals ensures that transactions are appropriately staffed with regard to the level of complexity and, in addition, that the Group has sufficient depth, in the sense that there is cover and back-up every step of the way. Bowman Gilfillan’s strong commitment to transformation in the South African context also ensures that transactions are appropriately staffed from a transformation perspective.

The Group’s banking law practice can be divided into work that has an international element and work that is purely domestic. These areas require slightly different approaches and analysis, but both are of great importance to Bowman Gilfillan and the Group. Whether your deal is a multi-jurisdictional asset financing and currency hedging transaction, on the one hand, or a more straightforward domestic lending transaction, on the other hand, we will be committed to ensuring that it is concluded successfully.

We find that our experience in each area of banking law greatly assists in dealing with the other area. For example, our experience in closing complex transactions across different jurisdictions and time zones means that we have a “can-do” approach that often sets us apart when we are working on domestic transactions. Furthermore, the Group is up to speed when working on the most demanding international transactions in the sophisticated domestic banking and financial sectors (including the innovative solutions that are required in relation to Black Economic Empowerment transactions). Members of the Group regularly contribute to a number of banking law and financial publications and Bowman Gilfillan is the South African contributor to the Butterworths Journal of International Banking and Financial Law.

“Bowman Gilfillan cover all aspects of complex financing, including structured finance and derivatives. Clients describe them as ‘very good and very responsive” - LEGAL 500, 2006 - Europe, Middle East & Africa

expert advice from the bowman gilfillan banking and finance group

With offices in Sandton, Cape Town and London, Bowman Gilfillan offers expert banking law advice to financial institutions, corporations, state-owned entities and governments. Our broad history of transactions gives us unrivalled experience, through which our commitment to banking law is clear.