The banking team at Asters advises both domestic and international banks, financial institutions, and corporate issuers and borrowers across a wide range of financing matters. Its offering encompasses support with banking M&A transactions, lending and restructuring mandates, and capital markets transactions, including bond issuances, IPOs, and CLNs. The practice is jointly led by Armen Khachaturyan, who focuses on debt and equity capital markets work; Iryna Pokanay, the main contact for international investors and foreign banks; and Roman Stepanenko, who handles cross-border financings for state-owned and private institutions. Kateryna Oliynyk is noted for her expertise in pre-deal due diligence across varied financing transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Roman Stepanenko demonstrates high responsiveness, deep expertise, and strong reliability, combined with a strategic perspective and strong awareness of global regulatory and market trends.
- Direct access to NBU senior management, enabling discussion of special cases and clarity on the regulator’s position. Ability to advocate effectively on behalf of the client, with a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory framework — including not only formal requirements but also unwritten practices. The team demonstrates extensive expertise in the regulatory environment and delivers well-structured, professional guidance.
- 'They are able to advocate effectively on behalf of the client, with a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory framework, including both formal requirements and unwritten practices.'
- 'The team demonstrates extensive expertise in the regulatory environment and delivers well-structured, professional guidance.'
- 'Roman Stepanenko demonstrates high responsiveness, deep expertise, and strong reliability, combined with a strategic perspective and strong awareness of global regulatory and market trends.'
- 'They are accessible at senior levels, enabling direct discussion of special cases and clarity on the regulator’s position.'
Key clients
- Black Sea Trade and Development Bank
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
- International Finance Corporation
- JSC Ukrainian Railways
- Irish Bank Resolution Corporation
Work highlights
Advised the International Finance Corporation on the restructuring of a USD120m loan to Nibulon, a leading Ukrainian grain exporter, to address operational challenges arising from the Russian Federation's armed aggression against Ukraine.
Advised Black Sea Trade and Development Bank on its up to EUR25m short-term revolving trade finance facility to Concern Galnaftogaz, a leading Ukrainian petroleum retailer company.
Advised the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on a EUR15m loan to Ukrainian pharmaceutical company Yuria-Pharm to support its investment plans in Ukraine and Uzbekistan, including EU Good Manufacturing Practice certification, solar panel installation, IT upgrades, and production facility expansion.
Lawyers
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Practice head
Armen Khachaturyan; Iryna Pokanay; Roman Stepanenko
Other key lawyers
Kateryna Oliynyk