Banking and Financial Services: Overview
Osler’s Banking & Financial Services Group acts for leading North American and international financial institutions and a wide variety of global industry leaders on a spectrum of finance transactions. With a network of offices across Canada and in New York, we seamlessly navigate between U.S., international and Canadian lending environments, anticipate and address industry-specific issues and provide integrated banking & debt finance expertise on domestic and cross-border transactions.
We have significant experience in structuring, negotiating and documenting all types of financing transactions including cash flow, asset based and distressed lending, syndications, project financings, subordinated debt arrangements, acquisition financings, leveraged buyouts, private placements, swaps and securitizations and in advising on regulatory issues. Our Group also works closely with our insolvency and restructuring colleagues to advise clients on debtor-in-possession financings, insolvency and restructuring proceedings, debt restructurings and work-outs and leverages leading tax, competition/antitrust, securities and other legal talent to efficiently and strategically assist our clients in meeting their financing requirements.
Corporate Lending
Osler regularly advises lenders and borrowers on the full range of corporate lending transactions including syndications, second lien or subordinated loans, acquisition financings, leveraged buy outs and debt restructurings. Our expertise encompasses domestic and cross-border transactions involving a wide variety of financial institutions and other lenders, including non-Canadian participants lending into Canada.
Debtor-in-Possession Financing
Osler has acted on some of the largest and most complex debtor-in-possession (DIP) financings in the Canadian market. We work closely with our Insolvency & Restructuring Group to effectively address the broad range of issues that can arise in a distressed financing scenario. Our work regularly includes cross-border DIP transactions and related proceedings.
Asset-based Lending
Osler advises both borrowers and lenders in negotiating and documenting asset-based lending (ABL) transactions. We understand the legal and practical issues involved in these collateral-based financings. Our ABL group has a wide range of experience, including transactions in the retail, manufacturing, and airline industries.
Asset Securitization and Structured Finance
We regularly advise financial institutions, corporate issuers, underwriters and others on securitization transactions. Our experience includes both single-seller and multi-seller structures in a range of asset classes, such as credit card receivables, residential and commercial mortgages, trade accounts receivables, auto and equipment loans and leases, mutual fund fees and wholesale dealer loans. We also advise participants in a range of structured finance transactions, including covered bond issuances. Our experience also includes the financing of specific assets such as rail cars, aircraft and other equipment.
Project Finance
Osler advises a broad range of participants in project finance matters including banks and prominent members of the mining, infrastructure, IT, health and other key industries. We have been involved in structuring, financing and implementing many of Canada’s largest energy projects and have advised on numerous international energy projects in Asia, the Middle East, the Far East and South America. We have also advised on projects to finance the privatization of government services.
Recognized Expertise
- “From asset-based lending and project finance, to securitisation, the team has a consistent market share,” according to Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers 2011.
- Ranked in the top tierof recommended firms by the 2011 edition of IFLR’s Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms for both Bank Lending and Financial Services Regulatory work, stating that “Osler’s banking and financial services team gets high marks when it comes to getting results for its clients.”
- “Most frequently recommended” in a survey by the 2011 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory