A go-to firm for a wide range of complex, cross-border financing transactions, Clifford Chance LLP acts for a number of leading international and domestic investment banks, private equity sponsors, funds and corporations. The practice stands out for matters requiring innovation, and it is active in relation to the recently emerged area of sustainability-linked financing. Jiahua Ni, who divides his time between Beijing and Shanghai, specialises in PRC-related cross‑border financing; and Maggie Lo works across the firm's Beijing and Hong Kong offices, and has broad experience in advising both Chinese and international financial institutions on cross-border financings. Also on the mainland, Timothy Democratis' experience includes cross-border corporate, leveraged and acquisition financings, and other forms of structured and corporate debt. The names to note in Hong Kong are Anthony Wang, Matthew Truman, Dauwood Malik, Edith Leung and Vicky Ma who was made partner in 2019.

'Always able to provide professional support', Ashurst's dedicated banking and finance practice has a strong name in the market for cross-border, multi-jurisdictional international project financing, real estate financing, margin loans, structured lending, fund financing and acquisition financing deals. Beijing-based Asia global loans and global markets practice head, Patrick Phua, has extensive experience in major outbound and cross-border financings, and is a PRC derivatives market specialist; and Chin Chuan Chen heads the global loans practice in Greater China from Singapore. At counsel level, Yolanda Liu , who 'grasps market trends and fully understands clients' needs', specialises in derivatives, structured finance, commodity finance and regulatory matters; and Emma Zhang focuses on banking and project finance work in the power, resources and infrastructure sectors. At senior associate level, Zhibin Fan is noted for energy and resources sector-related financings. Priscilla Chen, Eric Tan and Daniel Lau are highly regarded names in Hong Kong. Support from further afield comes from global finance, funds and restructuring head, Jamie Ng, in Sydney.

White & Case LLP regularly advises on some of the largest bank finance deals coming out of Asia, including significant regional cross-border deals that involve major international brands. In addition to the 'efficient and commercial' practice's widely respected lender-side work, it is also increasingly active in relation to private equity sponsor and borrower-side financings, and particularly stands out for asset, project and real estate finance work. Executive partner of the Beijing office, David Li focuses primarily on China inbound and outbound financing transactions, while Shanghai-based senior legal consultant Frank Shu has substantial experience in acquisition, structured and real estate finance. Eugene Man leads the Asia Pacific banking and restructuring practices from Hong Kong, where experienced Baldwin Cheng advises on major pan-Asian financings.

'A significant practice with longstanding relationships', DLA Piper's Greater China-based team distinguishes itself through its extensive geographic reach, particularly in relation to China, Singapore, Korea and Indonesia. Matthias Schemuth heads the Asia finance, projects and restructuring practice from Hong Kong, which also showcases Paul Lee, who has strength in cross-border financings, acquisition finance, syndicated loans and project finance; Carolyn Dong has approximately 30-years' experience in major cross-border transactions involving China. Senior consultant Matthew Worth focuses on banking and finance, distressed debt and special situations, while of counsel Tom Van Hoof plays a central role at the senior end of the banking and finance practice.

Hogan Lovells International LLP's full-service Greater China banking and finance practice focuses on high-value and complex transactions, including structured and cross-border finance, real estate, acquisition and fund financing, and pre-IPO and asset finance. It is particularly known for onshore and offshore financings that involve PRC banks and borrowers. Beijing-based Jun Wei's broad practice includes project finance; and working across the Shanghai and Hong Kong offices, counsel Shantay Cong has a focus on cross-border financing transactions. Owen Chan leads the Greater China team of international banking and finance lawyers from the Hong Kong office, which was joined by restructuring and special situations partner, Jonathan Leitch, in 2020 from DLA Piper.

Mayer Brown advises Chinese and international lenders and borrowers on major outbound and inbound bank and acquisition finance transactions in multiple sectors, including technology, energy, oil and gas, healthcare, real estate and logistic assets. With over 25 years' experience, Hallam Chow, who leads the China projects practice from Beijing, handles banking, acquisition and project finance, as well as asset-based finance (including aircraft, equipment and facility leasing). Also on the mainland, new partner Boya Shen's practice includes banking and acquisition, structured and energy and infrastructure finance. Hong Kong-based Richard Stock heads the Asia banking and finance practice.

Focused on private equity sponsors, credit funds and strategic corporate investors, Kirkland & Ellis International LLP's Asia banking and finance team is highly regarded for private equity borrower-side work and complex credit fund matters. The practice covers all key financing products across the Asia Pacific region, including leveraged and acquisition financing matters. With substantial experience in major cross-border financing transactions, David Irvine heads the Asia debt finance practice from Hong Kong, where Jacqueline Zheng is also a key partner.

Frequently working alongside its private equity, capital markets, derivatives and M&A practices, Latham & Watkins LLP's Greater China banking and finance group acts for both lenders and borrowers on finance transactions in Asia, including syndicated lending, acquisition financing, leveraged lending and recapitalisations, mezzanine facilities, and structured note and private placement transactions. The Hong Kong names to note are Gary Hamp, Howard Lam and Manas Chandrashekar, while Singapore-based Timothy Hia is the local chair of the firm's Asia finance department.

Stephenson Harwood's Hong Kong-based banking and finance team is 'highly practical and diligent, and offers clients cost-efficient solutions'. It stands out for its trade finance expertise; its other specialisms cover asset finance (including shipping and aviation finance), structured finance, fintech, investment products, and secured and unsecured lending. Mark Reed heads the non-contentious side of both the finance group and the regulatory practice; and former trade finance head at Bank of America, King-Tak Fung, specialises in banking and international trade law and practice. In 2020, the firm experienced both the closure of its Beijing office and the departure in Hong Kong of Stephanie Wong to Eversheds Sutherland.

Watson Farley & Williams' Hong Kong-based team is best known for its maritime finance expertise; the practice also includes experience in related sectors such as offshore oil and gas, LNG, container boxes, ports and logistics, and cruise and ferries. Madeline Leong, Christoforos Bisbikos, Khin Voong and Guan Jian are all experienced finance practitioners.