About

Founded in 1898, Credito Fondiario specialises in management of non-performing loans (NPL). In its capacity the bank is currently acting as adviser to Atlante fund, the Italian fund dedicated to recapitalise a number of Italian banks, as well as to invest in NPL’s originated by Italian banks. It is here where the legal and corporate team has provided exceptional legal advice to the bank in the context of all transactions carried out by Atlante fund. Senior legal counsel Matteo Casot explains that to stay on top of these transactions the team has morphed into a quick and effective legal reaction force: ‘We are developing a proactive and effective approach to face NPL transactions that are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated’. Although the Italian banking market continues to experience challenges surrounding asset quality, capital adequacy and profitability, the legal and corporate team has worked to become a focal business partner to the business units of the bank and is playing a substantial role specifically in the context of some of the most innovative transactions in the Italian NPL market. This role entails the preparation of standard contractual documentation for NPL acquisitions and servicing activities, reflecting the business operations of the bank. General counsel Paola Colombo joined the legal team two years ago, and has set up and effectively reorganised the team since her arrival, enabling them to become central to the business of the bank. An equally important asset to the team, Matteo Casot, joined the team as senior legal counsel in March 2016, and boasts over ten years’ experience in major international firms in banking and finance, real estate and M&A transactions.