Banking and finance

Bowmans

Allen Leuta and Ulrike Naumann co-head the banking and finance practice at Bowmans, which continues to handle a high volume of sustainability-linked funding transactions and large-scale restructurings. Cross-border mandates are prominent in the ‘responsive and knowledgeable’ team’s workload, and the group is well versed in representing borrowers and lenders in complex matters. Naumann is a key contact for debt restructurings, leveraged and mezzanine finance, and preference share funding transactions. Jan Kruger is highly regarded for his solid track record in acting for financial institutions, and Michael Swartland‘s practice takes in BEE funding matters. Jayson George is ’a phenomenal individual with true grit and poise‘. Pride Jani joined the group in December 2023, and the practice was also bolstered by the arrival of Ryan Nelson and Amanda Jones in January 2025. Deborah Carmichael left the firm in December 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘They dedicate the right resources at the right level of seniority. They communicate and keep us updated the whole time. ’
‘Ulrike Naumann and Ivan Vorster are exceptionally talented individuals who are not only counsel, but trusted advisors to the banking fraternity. They provide exceptional legal advice.'
'Ivan Vorster is young, energetic, thinks outside the box.'
‘The team is responsive, knowledgeable and consistently delivers as per agreed transaction timelines. ’
‘Michael Swartland is commercially minded and an absolute pleasure to work with.'
'Jayson George is responsive and an absolute pleasure to work with. ’
‘The depth of expertise means that we are always able to get the required advice and assistance without delay. ’
‘Pride Jani is extremely knowledgeable and works hard. He ensures that the client get the best possible outcome from the transaction. He is a pleasure to work with.’

Key clients

Absa Bank Limited
AbInBev, The South African Breweries
African Rainbow Capital
African Rainbow Minerals Limited
AgDevCo Limited
Alexander Forbes Group Holdings Limited
Alexander Forbes Life Limited
ARM Coal Limited
Ashburton Fund Managers Proprietary Limited
Bank of China
Capitec Bank Limited
Caterpillar Financial Services Proprietary Limited
Clindeb
Coca Cola Beverages South Africa Propriety Limited
Development Bank of Southern Africa
Dis-Chem Pharmacies Limited
Fairfax Africa Investments Proprietary Limited
FirstRand Bank Limited, Rand Merchant Bank
Future growth Asset Management Proprietary Limited
HSBC Bank plc
Imperial Logistics Limited, Imperial Capital Limited, Imperial South Africa Holdings Proprietary Limited, Imperial South Africa Group Proprietary Limited, Imperial Mobility International B.V., and Imperial Mobility Finance B.V.
Investec Bank Limited
JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. (London Branch)
Nedbank Limited
Netcare Limited
Ninety-One Limited
Old Mutual Alternative Investments Proprietary Limited, Old Mutual Hybrid Equity Fund, Old Mutual Specialised Finance
Orion Mine Finance, Orion Resources Partners
Prescient Investment Management Proprietary Limited
Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration Limited
RMB International (Mauritius) Limited
Sanlam Investment Management Proprietary Limited
Sanlam Life Insurance Limited
Standard Chartered Bank
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited, Stanbic Bank IBTC PLC, Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited
Stanlib Management Proprietary Limited
Tongaat Hulett Limited
Trafigura PTE Limited
Vedanta Resources

Work highlights

Advising a large syndicate of banks on the multi-million dollar restructuring of the Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa.
Acted as lead counsel to SBSA and RMB (as mandated lead arrangers in a syndicate of banks) in connection with the ZAR14,500,000,0000 refinancing of the Foschini Retail Group Proprietary Limited’s (FRG) existing debt.

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