Drawing considerable praise for its ‘competent, professional, very knowledgable and available’ team, Cuatrecasas instills ‘confidence’ in clients, advising on the full gamut of banking and finance matters. Counting banks, sponsors, borrowers, hedge funds and securitisation vehicles among its impressive roster of clients, the team regularly advises on large and complex transactions across the energy, real estate, fintech and retail sectors. The practice is jointly steered by Manuel Requicha Ferreira and Paulo Costa Martins: Ferreira is noted for his specialism in corporate finance and real estate transactions, with a particular focus on international hotel financing, while Martins is recommended for his broad experience in banking law, routinely advising banks and investment firms. Clients turn to Margarida Leal De Oliveira for her experience in debt restructuring, NPL’s and financing transactions across the roads, hospitality and energy spaces.

Fielding a ‘prestigious team with clear client orientation’, the banking and finance practice at Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associadosstands out as a strong choice for clients who seek advice on a range of matters, including high-value structured lending, securitisations, project finance, and fintech-related issues. Praised for the ‘mastery of the topics covered’, the practice counts prestigious Portuguese and foreign banks among its roster of clients. At the helm sits Filipe Lowndes Marques, who has extensive experience in the financing of infrastructure and energy projects. Cláudia Castanheira Dos Santos excels in structured finance, real estate and project finance, while the ‘very knowledge’ João Honorato is recommended for his strong credentials in bond and commercial paper issues, project finance and derivatives. Also part of the core team, Luís Branco is a reference in the domestic banking and finance market. Elmano Sousa Costa is praised for his ‘exhaustive knowledge of Portuguese legislation’.

The ‘excellent’ banking and finance team at PLMJ boasts a remarkable history of handling high-profile deals in Portugal, catering to a diverse roster of clients consisting of international and domestic banks, financial institutions and asset managers. The team earns further praise for its cross-border work and ability to handle a wide range of banking and finance work, including restructuring, securitisations, consumer credit and financial services regulations. The practice is steered by André Figueiredo, noted for his focus on complex bank resolution matters, distressed asset transactions, and NPL disposals. Bruno Ferreira handles a broad workload, where project finance features alongside asset-based lending. Key contact Gonçalo dos Reis Martins regularly advises financial institutions on a range of matters.

Fielding a strong team that is highly regarded for its ability to cover the full scope of banking and finance matters, VdA is praised by clients for its ‘impressive know-how and problem-solving capacity, combined with quick responses’. The team is consistently engaged in sophisticated lending deals and complex regulatory matters. Possessing the ability to ‘adapt quite easily to the issues and specificities of different types of processes’, the team has notable expertise in assisting banks in NPL deals and their deleveraging strategies. Team lead Pedro Cassiano Santos is noted for his expertise in all debt and regulatory issues, including capital markets matters. A litany of national and international financial players turn to Hugo Moredo Santos for his knowledge of debt and hybrid securities, covered bonds, and asset-backed transactions. Recommended for his ‘very dynamic vision’, Tiago Correia Moreira regularly advises credit institutions, financial companies and payment services providers, while Benedita Aires focuses on issuances and placements of debt, equity and regulatory capital instruments and other financial products.

Well-regarded for its ability to marry a ‘strong commercial understanding of banking and financing matters’ with ‘practical solutions’, the team at Abreu Advogados covers a wide range of regulatory and transactional work, both on a domestic and international scale. Operating across a myriad of sectors and industries including real estate, energy, aviation, infrastructure and insurance, the practice advises on NPL restructuring and disposals, structured lending, as well as real estate and acquisition finance. The team is jointly steered by a capable trio: José Maria Corrêa De Sampaio, who boasts a proven track record in complex financing transactions in Portugal; Rodrigo Formigal, who is praised for his ‘practical and adaptable approach to matters’ and recommended for cross-border deals, debt restructuring and distressed assets transactions; and Diogo Pereira Duarte, who heads up the fintech-focused group and specialises in the regulatory framework applicable to banks and investment firms. Key contact Pedro Ferreira Malaquias handles all legal aspects related to retail and investment banking activity.

Sérvulo & Associados is praised for its ability to ‘combine vast experience in banking and finance, with competent professionals'. Longstanding regulatory tradition is a defining characteristic of this practice group, which attracts regular instructions from an array of credit and financial institutions. The team is jointly steered by Manuel Magalhães  and Paulo Câmara: Magalhães is noted for his wide-ranging expertise in banking and finance matters in Portugal and abroad, most notably Angola and Mozambique, while Câmara is recommended for his regulatory capabilities. Noted for her ‘knowledge, support and availability’, Verónica Fernández regularly provides regulatory guidance on the implications of new business models and activities under EU-wide banking, ESG, crypto and fintech regulations. Inês Palma Ramalho is no longer at the firm.

The ‘very strong and well-structured’ team at SRS Legal is well versed in the gamut of banking and finance matters, including bank lending, debt restructuring,  NPL deals, securitisations and fund offerings. A litany of financial players in the energy, healthcare, hospitality, TMT, insurance and real estate sectors turn to the team for its experience on complex financing deals at the domestic and international levels. Practice head Alexandra Valente is lauded for her ability to combine ‘a deep knowledge of applicable legislation with practical experience’. William Smithson regularly advises large international companies across various business sectors, while João Santos Carvalho has extensive experience in structured finance and banking regulatory matters.

The banking and finance team at Uría Menéndez – Proença Carvalho, rated for its ‘holistic perspective’, regularly advises credit institutions, financial companies, investment firms and insurance undertakings on a broad range of complex financial-services regulatory matters and high-value transactions. Practice head and co-manager of the firm’s Lisbon office Antonio Villacampa Serrano has extensive experience in managing and coordinating cross-border deals. Francisco da Cunha Ferreira is a name to note for project and acquisition finance; these are key areas of expertise for Miguel Rodrigues Leal, who is also skilled in financial services regulatory issues.

Highlighted by clients for its ‘good quality work’, DLA Piper ABBC is a trusted partner for large banks, financial services companies, and institutions, offering expertise in complex banking matters and financing transactions. In addition to its solid credentials in acquisition and corporate finance, the firm is also highly accomplished in real estate and project finance, regularly advising clients on the refinancing of large-scale projects. Department leader Nuno Azevedo Neves is a key port of call for national and international financial institutions, corporations and private equity houses seeking assistance with a host of lending transactions. The team has been strengthened by the arrival of João Bento from Linklaters in July 2023; Bento stands out for his expertise in the NPL sector, and also excels in structured finance, restructuring and insolvency matters.

Garrigues Portugal is a popular destination for a diverse range of clients, who turn to the ‘very experienced’ team for its wide-ranging capabilities in banking and finance matters. In recent years, the practice has experienced an uptick in regulatory and fintech work, assisting several players in the fields of payment services, crypto and credit intermediation services. Vasco Rodrigues is recommended for his fund-related work, covering hybrid instruments, mezzanine finance and distressed debt. Senior associate Ricardo Lira, whose expertise in fintech matters is noteworthy, offers key support in complex financing transactions. Former practice head Diogo Leónidas Rocha left the firm in November 2023.

With a strong track record of acting for domestic and international credit and financial institutions, insurance players, and borrowers, Gómez-Acebo & Pombo is proficient in a range of financing transactions and regulatory work. The practice is steered by Mafalda Barreto, who routinely takes the lead on major financing deals and restructuring matters. A multitude of foreign and domestic financial institutions and blue-chip companies turn to Filipe Santos Barata for his expertise on debt restructuring, syndicated lending and insurance mandates. Former practice co-head Miguel Castro Pereira is no longer at the firm.

The banking and finance team at MACEDO VITORINO ‘offers an excellent level of service’ to its domestic and international client base. Operating across a myriad of industries, including financial services, real estate, TMT, energy and infrastructure, the practice provides support in a range of transactional matters, including acquisition finance, structured deals and project finance. The group is under the joint leadership of founding partner António de Macedo Vitorino, noted for his focus on corporate finance, and André Vasques Dias, a key port of call for international banks and companies in connection with financing transactions.

The banking and finance team at CTSU - Sociedade de Advogados, S.P., R.L., S.A. is praised for its ‘deep knowledge’ and ability to ‘provide efficient and practical legal advice’. Through its close alliance with the Deloitte Legal network, the practice harnesses an extensive global network, handling several cross-border financing transactions involving Lusophone countries in Africa. The practice is steered by recently promoted partner Miguel Cordeiro, who is a key port of call for banks, asset mangers, investment firms, insurance undertakings, and pension funds in a wide range of financing transactions and regulatory matters.

Raposo Bernardo delivers a ‘first-class service’ to its international and Portuguese financial services players. The team is equipped to handle a range of banking and finance matters, including asset finance, corporate finance, investment banking, trade finance and NPLs. The team is led by the ‘excellent’ and ‘extremely reputable’ Nelson Raposo Bernardo, who is noted for his proficiency in both transactional and regulatory mandates.