Rated for its ‘deep technical knowledge of the Brazilian banking market’, Pinheiro Neto Advogados has established a top notch reputation for its wide range of services to the financial sector. Combining transactional and regulatory expertise, the team has been particularly active on the corporate side, advising on an impressive range of novel transactions in the fintech and crypto space, a notable example being Binance’s acquisition of the Brazilian broker-dealer Sim;Paul Investimentos. Borrowers and lenders continue to turn to the firm for assistance with the full spread of matters, including securitisations, acquisition financings, project finance and debt restructurings. Regulatory partner Bruno Balduccini has developed ‘exceptional’ credentials for fintech and crypto-related work. Transactional specialist Jose Luiz Homem de Mello brings together a wealth of experience in financings and M&A. Partners Tatiana Mello Guazzelli and Raphael Palmieri Salomão are other names to note for fintech-related work. Yuka Ono is also well regarded.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Pinheiro Neto has lawyers who are highly specialised in regulatory and banking matters. Certain partners are always at the forefront of discussions with regulators and are able to provide their clients with relevant legal analyses that impact banking business.’
‘Excellent firm with extensive market knowledge and highly qualified professionals.’
‘Bruno Balduccini is exceptional. Always available, immense knowledge of the sector and regulators, and often with solutions ahead of the market.’
'Deep technical knowledge of the Brazilian banking market, including regulation by the Central Bank of Brazil.'
'PN has notable banking regulatory knowledge and practical sensitivity, differentiating itself from other teams. It provides agile and objective advice.'
'Bruno Balduccini's years of experience are incredible and add a lot of value to the service provided. Bruno knows a lot not only about regulation, but also from an operational and economic point of view. This practical knowledge and economic rationale are very important and make all the difference.'

Key clients

Nubank
Bradesco
BTG Pactual
Binance
JP Morgan
Creditas
Crypto.com
MasterCard
Santander
Safra

Work highlights

Advising the global crypto exchange Binance on a shares purchase agreement with the current shareholders of the Brazilian broker-dealer Sim;Paul Investimentos.
Advised Banco Safra on a purchase and sale agreement with Administradora Fortaleza to acquire corporate control of the Conglomerado Financeiro Alfa.
Advising Creditas Holding Financeira as buyer and Banco Andbank as seller in the negotiation of Banco Andbank's acquisition by Creditas, a digital platform that acts as a correspondent bank and direct credit company.

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