Banking, finance and capital markets

Koutalidis Law Firm

Now headed by Nikos Salakas, who re-joined the firm following a stint in-house at one of the country’s systemic banks, Koutalidis Law Firm provides a ‘cost-effective and business-oriented service’ to a lender-focused client base that includes domestic and international banks across a myriad of new money and refinancing transactions. Project finance is a core strength, where the firm has deep insight into the commercial drivers of transactions by dint of its varied client base, which includes lenders, sponsors and contractors. The ’analytical, creative and hardworking’ Ioannis Kaptanis is central to the firm’s success in the space, and has handled a number of recent mandates for lenders seeking to refinance debt in accordance with large domestic infrastructure projects. As well as her NPL-related work, Effie Papoutsi is noted for her prowess in relation to acquisition finance mandates, primarily for funders of both sponsor-backed and corporate-led deals. Nikos Koritsas‘ varied practice includes a considerable volume of debt capital markets work, which he combines with his duties as managing partner.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'The responsive team provides a cost-effective and business-oriented service.'
'The depth and breadth of their knowledge ensures that they are able to support every client’s business needs successfully and provide high-quality, innovative legal solutions in the increasingly complex area of legislation and practice.'
'Ioannis Kaptanis is analytical, creative and hardworking.'
'The team are great and have deep knowledge on this subject - they are very effective and consistent.'

Key clients

Alpha Bank S.A.
Eurobank S.A.
National Bank of Greece S.A.
Piraeus Bank S.A.
GMR Airports Limited/GMR Airports Greece Single Member Societe Anonyme
Aktor Concessions S.A./Development of New Alimos Marina Concession Single Member S.A.
Hellas Gold S.A.
Aktor Concessions and Intrakat
Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 6 SCSp (member of Macquarie Asset Management group)
Attica Bank S.A.
Optima Bank S.A.
HSBC Bank plc
Alpha Services and Holdings S.A.
Capital Product Partners L.P.
CPLP Shipping Holdings PLC
BofA Securities Europe SA
Citigroup Global Markets Europe AG
Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft
Morgan Stanley Europe SE
Société Générale
BNP Paribas
Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft
Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE
J.P. Morgan
Nomura Financial Products Europe GmbH
Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF)
Waterwheel Capital Management LLC

Work highlights

Advised a syndicate of the Greek systemic banks in connection with the refinancing of the existing indebtedness to such banks of Athens International Airport S.A. (AIA) through the issuance of an up to €1,007,843,966 bond loan and the borrowing of an additional amount of €28,700,000 under the existing bond loan provided to AIA for the financing of five construction projects.
Advising Waterwheel Capital Management LLP on its potential investment in Project Solar.
Advised National Bank of Greece S.A., in its capacity as listing advisor, in relation to a technical dual listing of the Austrian Company AUSTRIACARD HOLDINGS AG on the Athens Exchange and the Vienna Stock Exchange.