Walkers advises on Acquisition Finance Deal of the Year

The team have been recognised for their role in securing the financing of Avilease's US$2.1bn acquisition of Standard Chartered's aircraft leasing business. Walkers acted as Cayman Islands counsel to the lead arranger banks, Citibank, BNP Paribas, HSBC Bank Middle East and MUFG Bank, in connection with the financing.

The Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Awards, held annually since 2014, recognise the most innovative and ground-breaking deals from Sovereign, Corporate, and Financial Institution issuers and borrowers in the Middle East. The selection process involves close examination of the deal size, tenure, structure, and distribution, as well as analysis of the borrower’s background and accessibility to financing.

The team, led by Ciaran Bohnacker and Szymon Durlo, worked alongside Clifford Chance (onshore counsel to the lead arranger banks) to secure the transaction.