Camilleri Preziosi continues to impress with the breadth of its practice, which handles an array of mandates in both equity and debt capital markets. Active on the lender and borrower sides, the team typically acts on domestic and cross-border transactions. In the banking space, the group houses capabilities in both transactional and regulatory work. The firm’s specialised regulatory and compliance unity established in 2016 has made the group a port of call for regulators and banks seeking assistance with regulatory matters. The practice strengthened its team with the partner promotion of Andrew Caruana Scicluna in January 2022. The department is jointly led by Louis de Gabriele, Andrei Vella, Malcolm Falzon and Donald Vella.
Banking, finance and capital markets in Malta
Camilleri Preziosi
Practice head(s):
Louis de Gabriele; Andrei Vella; Malcolm Falzon; Donald Vella
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Caruana Scicluna
Testimonials
‘Very dedicated team.’
Ganado Advocates
Particularly known for its strong banking and finance practice, Ganado Advocates is frequently retained by leading Maltese and foreign banks and financial institutions to assist with Maltese law aspects of cross-border mandates involving asset and project finance. In the capital markets space, the group is well versed in a broad range of transactions, including debt and equity public offerings, hybrid and structured securities as well as private placements. The practice is also active in the debt and asset securitisation market. Conrad Portanier, Matthew Bianchi, Matthew Brincat, Leonard Bonello and Nicholas Curmi are key names.
Practice head(s):
Conrad Portanier; Matthew Bianchi; Matthew Brincat; Leonard Bonello; Nicholas Curmi
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Depth of legal expertise regarding derivatives, banking regulations, capital markets and excellent industry knowledge.’
‘Conrad Portanier is an extremely knowledgeable professional, who remains firmly grounded and approachable. He is capable of adapting the way he provides his feedback on the basis of the audience in front of him, which is crucial to avoid miscommunication on what are often sensitive matters and cases.’
‘Leonard Bonello and senior associate Catherine Formosa are highly knowledgeable, always available and willing to assist.’
‘Fantastic team, creative, proactive, robust, and very nice to work with. Strong in corporate lending, digital finance and litigation.’
‘Ganado Advocates has an outstanding team of professionals who can identify the right solution for a given situation. The team is knowledgeable and incredibly dedicated, and these qualities reflect in the work they perform.’
‘Nadia Cassar is knowledgeable, very proactive and always keen to find a workable solution to any issue. She is a great addition to any transaction.’
‘Lorraine Poole is a senior associate in the Banking & Finance team and regularly assists us with the analysis of validity and enforceability of various cross-border brokerage structures. She is very diligent, proactive and detailed.’
‘Matthew Bianchi and his team have always been a great source of knowledge and ideas for the most challenging situations. His deep understanding of the laws and regulations, coupled with his ability to apply them in a business way, is a unique characteristic and one which makes the Firm stand out.’
Mamo TCV Advocates
Mamo TCV Advocates is a popular choice for domestic and international credit institutions, asset managers, investment and private debt funds, as well as corporates. Its seamless integration with the firm’s compliance, regulatory and investigations, corporate and restructuring, and litigation teams means that the practice is well positioned to handle complex mandates. In the corporate lending space, the team acts for both lenders and borrowers on syndicated credit facilities. On the international front, the group regularly works alongside international firms to assist clients with cross-border restructurings. Practice head Andrew Muscat is a key contact for corporate, capital markets, insolvency and banking matters.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Muscat
Other key lawyers:
Roberta Peresso
Testimonials
‘Strong team, very professional.’
‘I have worked with the Mamo team for the 10 years, where they have acted as advisors across legal aspects spanning from corporate considerations to investment structures. Always being approachable and solutions driven.’
‘Flexible, knowledgeable and willing to help.’
‘Consistency! The lawyers we speak know our business well. Roberta Peresso is very knowledgeable and helpful.’
Key clients
GO Plc
BMIT Technologies Plc
Trident Estates Plc
Steward Healthcare
Cablenet Communications Systems Limited
BNF Bank (Malta) plc
Go Plc
HSBC Bank Malta plc
FCM Bank Malta Limited
Brait SE
Work highlights
- Advised Cablenet Communications Systems Plc on a new €40m bond issuance.
- Assisted Go Plc with the issuance of a €60m unsecured bonds.
- Acted for Media and Games Invest Plc on the approximately kr900m new share issuance.
Deguara Farrugia Advocates
Deguara Farrugia Advocates’ financial services department, typically acts for a varied client list, including insurance companies, start-ups, banks, pension funds and fintech companies. As part of its offering, the group advises on the structuring and issuance of securities, the setting up of investment services companies, and listings on regulated markets and multilateral trading facilities. Co-head Jean Farrugia specialises in financial services and corporate law with a focus on restructurings, IPOs, M&A deals and equity issues. Co-head Johan Farrugia is a key contact for digital markets, investment services, ICOs and capital markets mandates.
Practice head(s):
Jean C. Farrugia; Johan Farrugia
Other key lawyers:
Alejandro Borg (associate)
Testimonials
‘Knowledgeable team; excellent client service.’
‘Their uniqueness comes from the top class customer service and proactivity. They guided us every step of the way with legal and business advice.’
‘Alejandro Borg has been of tremendous help to us, advising on all aspects of our activities.’
‘They are helpful and proactive.’
‘They understand that we as clients are not necessarily familiar with all the legal obligations and requirements that a Maltese structure requires. The are always available and dependable.’
Key clients
VistaJet
Shoreline Group
AgriBank plc
APS Bank plc
Brown’s Pharma Holdings plc
Ozo Group
AgriHoldings plc
Work highlights
- Advised on the co-issuance of senior notes by VistaJet Malta Finance plc and XO Management Holding Inc.
- Acted for Brown’s Pharma Holdings Plc on the issuance of €13m bonds and the listing thereof on the main market in Malta.
- Assisted Ozo Group of Companies with the proposed acquisition of an equity stake in one of the major insurance companies in Malta.
Fenlex
Under the leadership of Joseph Ghio, Fenech & Fenech Advocates‘ banking, financing and capital markets team assists banks, fund managers, investment funds and insurance companies with domestic and cross-border mandates. The group stands out for its work advising on the regulatory aspects of financial restructurings and acquisitions of controlling interests in multinational financial services companies. The practice is also active in the listing and admission to the trade of securities in both Maltese and foreign stock exchanges.
Practice head(s):
Joseph Ghio
Other key lawyers:
Josianne Brimmer
Testimonials
‘Great committment.’
‘Josianne Brimmer has deep industry knowledge and a hands-on approach.’
‘The team has valuable hands-on experience, is reachable and offers fast, clear and reliable advise.’
GVZH Advocates
GVZH Advocates is particularly active in the capital markets space, where it frequently acts for investment vehicles and corporates on listings on regulated markets, corporate governance matters and the drafting of prospectus. Andrew Zammit is typically sought after to advise on M&A deals, asset financing and corporate financing transactions, while Kurt Hyzler specialises in investment funds, financial services regulations and banking and financing transactions. Luca Vella is a key contact for the listing of debt securities in the Official List of the Malta Stock Exchange.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Zammit; Kurt Hyzler; Luca Vella
Other key lawyers:
Jeanelle Cachia
Testimonials
‘The team led by Kurt Hyzler work as a single unit. They are always on top of issues, seamlessly delivering what is needed.’
‘Kurt Hyzler and Jeanelle Cachia are proactive, on top of matters, and able to respond quickly and move things forward. They provide practical solutions when faced with challenges.’
‘Solid knowledge of the local legal environment and the needed business acumen.’
‘Luca Vella is our ‘go-to’ lawyer for the Banking, Finance and Capital Markets practice.’
‘Jeanelle Cachia was very communicative, proactive and collaborative on the matter. She was very helpful in mitigating potential issues and working tirelessly to enable the transaction to close as smoothly as possible. Jeanelle provided sufficient engagement that no partner involvement was required.’
Key clients
Mediterranean Investments Holding plc
Smartcare Finance plc
Praxis Group Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Mediterranean Investments Holding Plc on all the regulatory and corporate aspects of the issuance of €20m 5.5% unsecured bonds 2023 on the Official List of the Malta Stock Exchange.
- Assisted Smartcare Finance Plc with the issue of €1.3m 4.65% secured bonds 2031 on the Official List of the Malta Stock Exchange.
- Advised Praxis Group Limited on a financing transaction where a Maltese subsidiary of Praxis Group Limited acted as guarantor.
WH Partners
WH Partners is best known for its strong expertise in the digital space, where it assists clients with digital financial services, digital asset creation, fintech regulation and information security and privacy. The group stands out for its work on venture capital financing rounds and license applications for fintech start-ups and financial license applications. James Scicluna has extensive experience in regulated industries such as gaming, gambling, sports and fintech.
Practice head(s):
James Scicluna
Key clients
FalconX Limited
dLocal Group Limited
Everest Network Ltd
Consensys AG
Bitconvert
WorldPay Inc
Casino Coin Foundation
Hold Platform Ltd
Paysafe Group Plc
Trustly Group Plc
FC Capital Limited
Work highlights
- Assisted FalconX Limited with the two venture capital financing rounds involving institutional investors and funds, including Tiger Global investments, Tiger Global Opportunity Fund, B Capital Fund II, CMT Digital Ventures Fund I LLC.
- Advised dLocal on two investment rounds amounting to $350m.
- Acted for Consensys on the setting up of a subsidiary in Malta.