Adnan Sundra & Low has a fully-rounded banking and finance practice and remains at the forefront of the Islamic finance segment. The firm’s excellence in this market has led to further growth in green and sustainability-linked financings, debt restructurings and acquisition finance engagements. It also continues to work on a steady pipeline of syndicated financings, bilateral loans and club deals, along with a number of project financings. It represents most of the major banks in Malaysia, a range of listed companies, along with private equity portfolio companies. Deepak Sadasivan is a market leader in banking and finance and capital markets transactions, including Sukuks, as are Adrian Chee and Putri Norlisa, who have a fine record in Islamic finance instruments.

Albar & Partners has a prestigious history in banking and finance and its reputation has been upheld by the repute of its client base and its continued record in big-ticket engagements. It represents many of the key banks in Malaysia, along with a number of major corporates. The firm is strong in both conventional and Islamic structures, and operates seamlessly between bank debt and capital markets-driven financings. Lily Tan Chea Li, Chung Swee Loong and Sharifah Dalilah Albar have outstanding reputations across the banking and finance and capital markets fields, including syndicated, bilateral and club financings, along with structured finance, asset-backed securitisations and project financings.

Rahmat Lim & Partners is noted for its expertise in large-scale syndicated finance deals, acquisition finance and project finance work. It has experienced further growth in distressed financing and fintech, along with green Sukuks and sustainability-linked loans. Led by Wan Kai Chee, the team continues to be active in infrastructure and project finance in the oil and gas sector. Managing partner Azman bin Othman Luk is active in distressed financings, infrastructure financings and government-related financings, while Kelvin Loh represents a range of international and domestic clients in conventional and Islamic finance transactions. Geraldine Su handles cross-border financings for foreign clients and Syed Rashid bin Rahim Alsree is recognised for acquisition finance; he led the team that advised the banks on the RM2bn Shariah-compliant syndicated financing to Malayan Cement to finance the acquisition of a series of companies owned by YTL Cement.

Shearn Delamore & Co is best known for its expertise in financial services regulation, along with bank financing, debt capital markets offerings and debt restructurings. Key work highlights include advising Malaysia Aviation Group on its large-scale debt restructuring. The team represents an impressive roster of Malaysian and international banks, along with a range of borrowers, including real estate developers. Christina Kow is noted for her expertise in the regulation of financial institutions, securities and derivatives, while Pamela Kung focuses on transactional work, including acquisition financings, syndicated lending and debt restructuring.

Zaid Ibrahim & Co (in association with KPMG Law)’s extensive resources and long history in banking and finance, has enabled it to develop a rich and varied practice, covering multiple clients and a range of financing products and structures. The firm also offers extensive regulatory advice and is well connected across the ASEAN region. Lilian Liew leads the debt capital markets and structured finance practice, which includes Chin Sook Kwan, David Lee and Loo Tatt King.

Zul Rafique & Partners’ outstanding client portfolio includes major banks, as well as local and international corporates. The firm has an extensive bank lending and debt capital markets practice, and continues to work on a significant number of medium term note programmes. It is also making an impression in sustainability-linked Sukuk issuances and green loans. The firm has an established presence in both conventional and Islamic financings. Loh Mei Mei heads the banking and finance practice and is a highly-respected practitioner in the market. Kung Suan Im, Ashela Ramaya, Chan Kwan Hoe and Celine Rangithan are also key members of the team.

Christopher & Lee Ong has strong connections to local and international banks and financial institutions. It also advises a range of multinationals and Malaysian businesses, having an impressive record in project finance and syndicated lending through to Islamic finance, securitisation and debt restructurings. The firm is part of Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP’s Asia network, giving it further credibility and capabilities throughout the ASEAN region. Christopher Lee and Fiona Sequerah are experienced and rounded practitioners with solid banking and finance credentials. Chor Jack leads on many of the team’s big engagements, including project financings.

Lee Hishammuddin Allen & Gledhill has a good mix of Islamic and conventional financing work. It has advised on a series of refinancings and restructurings of debt facilities. While the firm has excellent bank relationships, such as with the Bank Pembangunan Malaysia, it is working with a growing number of non-bank institutions in providing mezzanine finance and delivers regulatory advice to an expanding group of digital banks. Megat Hizaini Hassan is a leading authority on Islamic finance and has worked intensively in the debt restructuring field in recent years. Tay Weng Hwee leads the banking and finance team, and is an experienced figure in debt issuances, mezzanine finance and debt restructurings. Bella Chu Chai Yee is also rated for her expertise in debt restructuring and real estate financings.

Raja, Darryl & Loh has expanded its conventional banking work with a growing number of engagements from Malaysian banks, and maintains its strong record in aviation finance. In addition, the team hired Islamic finance specialist Syed Adam Alhabshi from Shook Lin & Bok in April 2022, with the aim of further developing its Islamic finance credentials and spread of work in this area. The firm has an impressive number of banks and financial institutions as clients. Chong Kok Seng is a prominent figure in aviation finance and is further noted for his expertise in debt restructurings in the aviation sector. Chew Phye Keat leads the practice and Chong Mei Mei is noted for fintech matters, including the financing of fintech businesses, and other conventional financings.

Shook Lin & Bok has a large banking and finance team, covering both conventional and Islamic finance. It is also highly rated for debt restructurings and refinancings. Hoh Kiat Ching is a key member of the team, in both conventional and Islamic Finance, while Jalalullail Othman is another prominent practitioner in the market, operating across corporate transactions and financings. Khong Mei Lin heads the loans and debt restructuring team.

Skrine has close links to local and international lenders, and benefits from a steady pipeline of financings, refinancings and debt restructuring engagements. It also has a well-developed banking and finance disputes team. Claudia Cheah and Lim Koon Huan are experienced banking disputes specialists, while Lee Ai Hsian, who is highly rated by clients, is noted for her expertise in syndicated loans and term loan facilities. Wong Chee Lin is a leader in restructuring and insolvency. Former banking and finance department head Theresa Chong is now a consultant at the firm.

Abdullah Chan & Co draws banking and finance expertise from across the firm, with demonstrable experience in acquisition, property and asset financing. The firm has worked on a series of applications for digital banking licenses along with crypto and digital asset matters. Vincent Chan and Gopala Krishnan Sundaram are key partners, along with Shelina Razaly Wahi, who is experienced in aviation finance.

Chooi & Company and Cheang & Ariff covers both conventional and Islamic finance, with an extensive record in syndicated, bilateral and club loans, along with acquisition finance, real estate finance, aviation finance and regulatory matters, among others. It has continued to advise on the financing of a number of major real estate developments in Kuala Lumpur and elsewhere, along with significant acquisition financings. Adriel Lau Jin Son is the lead partner.

Tay & Partners’ broad practice encompasses conventional and Islamic financings, debt restructurings, structured finance and securitisation, and regulatory matters. It advises a range of domestic and international banks, export credit agencies (ECAs) and other financial institutions. The firm also has a large number of borrower clients. Chang Hong Yun leads the corporate and commercial team with part of his practice focused on banking and finance.