Praised for its ‘great technical ability’ and regulatory expertise, Sérvulo & Associados’ finance and governance team advises credit and financial institutions, as well as crypto-asset, payments and neo-banking clients, on financing transactions, fintech and regulatory matters, including compliance and investment fund authorisations. The practice also has a strong track record in bank resolutions and the reorganisation of public financial institutions. The ‘experienced and capable’ team is led by Manuel Magalhães, recognised for his ’in-depth knowledge’ of financial regulation, insolvency and restructuring, and Paulo Câmara, who has extensive experience in capital markets, corporate governance and compliance, ESG and financial regulation. Francisco Boavida Salavessa handles matters related to consumer credit, NPLs and payment service providers. Francisco Soares Machado arrived from Cuatrecasas in December 2025, bringing experience in financial regulation, banking restructurings and M&A in the financial sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Sérvulo's banking and finance team is one of the most experienced and capable teams in Portugal. They have extraordinary practical knowledge, combined with great technical ability, representing enormous added value for any client.’
- ‘Manuel Magalhães has in-depth knowledge of the sector, as well as being available.’
- ‘Manuel Magalhães is undoubtedly a leading figure in this area.’
- ‘We have used the firm, specifically the team led by partner Francisco Barona, mainly for representation in cases of high legal complexity. They demonstrate a high level of competence and availability.’
Key clients
- Teixeira Duarte Group
- Banco Interatlântico, S.A.
- Banco Comercial Português, S.A. (Millennium BCP)
- Caixa Geral de Depósitos, S.A. (CGD)
- Caixa Económica Montepio Geral, Caixa Económica Bancária, S.A. (Banco Montepio)
- Lynceus Partners Europe – Empresa de Investimento, S.A.
- Bankinter Investment, SGEIC, S.A.U.
- Interfundos – Sociedade Gestora de Organismos de Investimento Coletivo, S.A
- Banco Espírito Santo, S.A. (BES)
- Banco Internacional do Funchal (BANIF)
- BPI Gestão de Ativos
Work highlights
Advised Teixeira Duarte Group on a €654m debt restructuring involving major Portuguese banks.
Advised Banco Montepio on negotiating financing agreements for the construction of an aparthotel and senior residence in Cascais, Estoril.
Assists BPI Gestão de Ativos, asset manager of the Caixabank group in Portugal, with investment advice services.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Manuel Magalhães; Paulo Câmara
Other key lawyers
Francisco Boavida Salavessa; Francisco Barona; Verónica Fernández; Patrícia Costa Gomes; José Guilherme Gomes; Francisco Soares Machado