Banking and finance

Guyer & Regules

Client Satisfaction

Guyer & Regules remains a go-to choice for both local and international banks, acting as regular counsel to a significant number of private banks. The team’s expert advice covers credit and trade facilities, convertible loans, financial trusts, hybrid financings, derivatives and debt notes. It stands out for having a strong regulatory practice, supporting regulated institutions in M&A and advising investment funds on registration. The group’s leading position in the market sees it excel in innovative transactions, including fintech matters and project and sustainability sovereign bonds. Capital markets is another focus area, and the practice plays a key role in sovereign debt issuances. Álvaro Tarabal leads the team, alongside Nicolás Herrera and financial regulatory expert Nicolás Piaggio, who is experienced in financing and sovereign debt transactions and debt restructurings. Head of the fintech practice Florencia Castagnola has a wealth of experience in banking and finance regulations. Federico Piano plays a lead role in advice to key clients, such as BBVA and HSBC. With an impressive clientele of lenders, multilaterals and local financial institutions, Juan Manuel Mercant is experienced in project finance structures. Marcos Payssé leads capital markets transactions, while Guzmán Rodríguez is noted for his role in derivatives matters and cross-border financing.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Guyer has a reputation for being the best law firm in the country and when you work with them you understand why. The level of professionalism and solidity of its lawyers sets a standard of excellence in the country.’
'I would like to highlight Guzmán Rodríguez Carrau. Not only is his technical and professional capacity exceptional, but also his human warmth and personal dedication make him face any difficult situation with the certainty of being in the best hands.’
'It is a very homogeneous team and they have a very strong culture that permeates all areas of practice. Outstanding partners and associates: Florencia Castagnola, Nicolas Piaggio, Federico Piano, Juan Manuel Mercant, Marcos Paysse.’
‘These are exceptional lawyers. Nicolas Piaggio is absolutely brilliant, a member of the country's legal elite. But they are a team, and that team includes exceptional partners, such as Florencia Castagnola with deep knowledge in fintech, Federico Piano with great visibility, market knowledge and leadership in his generation, as well as Juan Mercant, a prominent lawyer with great knowledge of the financing area - energy in particular and project finance in general.’
‘Nicolas Piaggio is, in my opinion, the best banking lawyer in Uruguay. He is brilliant. Also, Federico Piano is a younger but absolutely outstanding and brilliant partner; Juan Manuel Mercant is extremely capable and very responsive. Florencia Castagnola is amazing as well; she has an outstanding capacity to push the deal through and is excellent. I worked on a deal with Marcos Paysse and was impressed by his capabilities as well. All in all, in their own style, each of them deliver a first quality service.’
‘We generate a relationship of great trust, they are our trusted advisors. The partner we work with the most is Federico Piano, a brilliant, excellent professional and a better person. Always ready to solve what we need. Florencia Castagnola, Juan Manuel Mercant, Nicolas Piaggio, Marcos Paysse are also excellent. The participation of partners on a permanent basis makes a huge difference. And the degree of expertise, market knowledge and care they take at all times as well.’
‘They put themselves in the client's shoes. Particularly Juan Manuel Mercant.’
‘Guyer is our key team to develop the business in Uruguay. Their knowledge, experience, trust and quality makes them unique.’

Key clients

Citibank
HSBC
Banco Itaú
JP Morgan
Bank of America
BBVA
IDD
CAF
Credit Agricole
UBS
Julius Baer
Met Life
Scotiabank
Goldman Sachs
Pimco
BNP Paribas
American Express
Binance
Mercado Pago
Banco Provincia
Santander Spain
Deutsche Bank
Nomura
Societe Generale
Sumitomo
Natixis
Macquaire
TMF
dLocal

Work highlights

Advised the underwriters (BofA Securities, Citigroup Global Markets and Itau BBA USA Securities) on a debt issuance of the Republic of Uruguay of $1.2bn to make a concurrent tender offer.
Advised Sabre on a private financing led by Centerbridge and other investors of a credit facility of $700m to Sabre Financial Borrower, supported by Sabre Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries.
Advised HSBC Bank (Uruguay) on a successful issuance of mortgage credit notes, which was indexed to the inflation rate and amounted to $15m.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.