BANKING & FINANCE

BANKING & FINANCE

With the region’s financial markets becoming increasingly sophisticated and regulated, clients require legal experts who are able to navigate the complexities of this constantly evolving sector through local presence and experienced insight.  By being at the forefront of market developments and having proven know-how in structuring complex financial transactions, Hourani & Partners has become a trusted adviser to lenders, as well as borrowers, in such matters as bilateral transactions, Islamic financing, private equity financing, project finance, debt restructuring, structured finance, syndicated loans and financial institutions regulation. We understand how to apply local nuances to intricate transactions in order to successfully close deals in today’s global market.

Islamic Finance

Hourani & Partners has advised many of the region’s largest and most prominent institutions in the area of Islamic finance. Our attorneys have developed in-depth and intuitive understanding of Shari’ah compliance requirements and standards by working with many of the leading Shari’ah scholars in the field. The combination of our attorneys’ understanding of complex conventional banking structures coupled with Shari’ah compliance expertise, puts Hourani & Partners at the forefront for developing some of the region’s most innovative Islamic finance products and solutions.

Project Finance

In line with recent growth in infrastructure development across the region, our attorneys have advised clients on a wide range of project finance mandates. In addition to providing negotiation, documentation and structuring support, our finance attorneys evaluate the legal, financial, and commercial risks associated with each project and provide innovative solutions to mitigate such risks. Serving financial institutions, developers, government entities, and investors, we offer comprehensive legal support across every stage of a transaction’s life cycle.

Structured Finance

Hourani & Partners represents issuers, financiers, sellers, underwriters, placement agents, investors, and lenders, among other stakeholders in structured finance transactions. We use an informed and collaborative approach to meet our clients’ objectives in both domestic and cross-border transactions and assess regulatory and legal risks to develop the most advantageous funding arrangement possible. Our team’s experience extends to transactions involving collateralized debt obligations, asset-backed transactions, equipment leasing, corporate bonds and securitization.

Representative Banking & Finance transactions include:

  • Advising the lenders in connection with financing of a $6 billion grassroots export refinery at Jubail 2 Industrial City, Saudi Arabia
  • Advising the founding shareholders (anchored by the Public Investment Fund) in connection with the formation and licensing of a SR 1 billion mortgage bank licensed by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA)
  • Advising Alinma Investment in connection with the structuring and listing its $300 million Alinma Short Maturity Sukuk Bond ETF on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul)
  • Advising the joint lead managers / bookrunners in connection with the structuring, establishment and offering of the first Shariah–compliant project Sukuk listed on the Saudi Stock exchange
  • Advising a regional real estate investment company in connection with a multi-tranche commodity murabaha transaction with National Commercial Bank
  • Advising a Saudi based investment group in connection with negotiations relating to a single drawdown credit facility by an international bulge bracket financial institution
  • Advising an Omani bank, in connection with the structuring and negotiation of a Master Murabaha facility made available to a Saudi based real estate fund
  • Advising a leading investment bank in connection with a SR 290 million Murabaha financing facility funded by a Saudi based commercial bank
  • Advising United Farmers Holding Company, a company owned by a consortium comprising Almarai Company, Saudi Agricultural & Livestock Investment Company and Saudi Grains & Fodder Holding Company, in connection with a substantial financing arrangement involving a syndicate of financial institutions