Singled out for its focus on the intersection of technology and banking, B/Luz acts for a varied client roster which includes several financial institutions, ranging from brokers, to distributors, banks and cooperatives. The team provides sophisticated advice on banking regulations and fintech-related matters. Luciana Simões Rebello Horta has a wealth of experience in accreditation and administrative procedures before the Central Bank and the CVM.  Cesar R. Carvalho is the name to note for the structuring of partnerships and operational agreements involving payment methods, technology and the financial sector.

Primarily focused on acting for borrowers, BMA Advogados' practice is 'capable of handling complex and challenging demands' 'with a sense of urgency, responsibility and full dedication to the client'. Standing out for its capabilities in major debt restructurings, the team handles a mix of domestic and cross-border financing transactions, including structured finance, project finance, distressed deals, and derivatives. Rated for her 'broad legal, interdisciplinary knowledge and negotiation skills', Camila Goldberg frequently advises Brazilian and international clients, including financial institutions, on structured finance, debt restructuring and project finance mandates. Finance co-head Conrado de Castro Stievani focuses on finance and capital markets matters, while banking co-leader Felipe Prado is a name to note for securitisations, fund formation and syndicated loans. Henrique Garcia Pimenta and Gabriel Bürgel are other standout individuals for credit transactions.

Demonstrating equal strength in the representation of both lenders and borrowers, Campos Mello Advogados in cooperation with DLA Piper offers diversified banking and finance services to a multitude of Brazilian and international banks, investment and pension funds. Project, structured and corporate finance are core areas of expertise for the practice, which stands out for its cross-border capabilities. The arrival of former Veirano Advogados co-head Marcelo Mattos in September 2023 significantly boosted the team’s presence in the oil and gas, mining, telecoms and shipping industries; he is a key name to note for multilateral agencies and major international investment banks. Jorge Luiz Barbieri Gallo, who regularly assists with syndicated and bilateral loans, project finance, securitisations and trade finance, jointly oversees the team with Mattos. Roberto Barros is no longer at the firm.

Carvalho, Sica, Muszkat, Vidigal e Carneiro Advogados - CSMV Advogados stands out for its strong capabilities in payment services and fintech regulatory mandates. Clients regularly seek the team's advice on contract negotiations, the structuring of new financial products and licensing procedures before the Central Bank. On the transactional front, the firm is well versed in syndicated lending, project finance, debt restructuring and project finance. Practice head João Fernando Nascimento specialises in banking regulations and structured finance deals.

A popular choice for financial and payment institutions, global technology companies and retail sector clients, Cascione Pulino Boulos Advogados stands out for its proficiency in fintech matters, as well as payments, banking and foreign exchange regulations. In addition to its notable regulatory capabilities, the group is also well versed in a wide variety of credit transactions, most notably syndicated loans and project finance. Founder Fábio de Souza Aranha Cascione handles structured deals, and routinely advises tech and retail companies on financial services regulations. He heads up the practice with Marcelo Padua Lima, who has substantial experience in the structuring of payments entities in Brazil. Also noted, Gabriel Capella is singled out for 'his technical knowledge and his concern for clients'. Recent arrival Ana Paula Calil has a proven track record in banking, finance, capital markets and M&A work.

Bringing together ‘professionals with technical knowledge and extensive experience in financial markets and banking law‘, the banking and finance department at Cescon Barrieu handles an impressive volume of high-profile, and oftentimes innovative, financial transactions. The team handles a varied transactional workload, where structured finance, corporate lending, and acquisition finance feature alongside distressed debt and trade finance. On the regulatory front, the group is particularly skilled at assisting financial institutions, payment services and fintech clients on the negotiation of agreements with partners, authorisations with the Central Bank and banking regulations. Rio-based Maurício Teixeira dos Santos, whose notable areas of expertise include project and structured finance, debt restructuring, and financial services regulatory matters, jointly heads the group with Daniel Laudisio in São Paulo, who also handles capital markets and M&A mandates. Sitting in the Rio office, Amanda Arêas is especially active in acquisition finance, alternative lending and distressed assets, and has recently advised on a number of project finance deals in the infrastructure sector.

At Demarest Advogados, the banking and finance practice is singled out for its expertise in regulatory matters related to the Central Bank and the CVM, and increasingly, for its growing presence in the fintech space. The firm is particularly well positioned to advise companies on the structuring of their businesses for the provision of digital financial services, including electronic payments and online banking. On the transactional front, the group acts for both borrowers and lenders in an array of deals, covering syndicated facilities, debtor-in-possession (DIP) financings, project finance and debt restructuring, among other areas. In addition to corporate finance, practice head Fabio de Almeida Braga also focuses on banking regulations, fintech and open banking issues. Key support is offered by Fausto Teixeira, a contact for domestic and international financial institutions, fintechs, crypto companies and payment services players.

With a strong following of multilateral organisations, development banks, and international financial institutions, Dias Carneiro Advogados handles a host of cross-border financing deals, including acquisition, corporate and trade finance. The group is particularly active in the financing of energy projects, with a special emphasis on the renewable segment, but also possesses experience in project finance mandates involving the agribusiness, sanitation, mining and telecoms sectors. Practice head  Thiago Vallandro Flores acts for an array of lenders and borrowers in project finance and debt restructuring. Paulo Leme focuses on the financing of energy and infrastructure projects, while Gustavo Junqueira's areas of expertise cover project, export, acquisition and corporate finance.

A strong performer in project finance, asset-based lending, cross-border syndicated loans and high-profile debt restructuring, Felsberg Advogados‘ banking and finance group acts for a variety of domestic and foreign clients, including banks, multilateral agencies, borrowers and sponsors. Maria Da Graça Pedretti is particularly noted for her expertise in aircraft finance and the funding of projects. She jointly leads the team with Ricardo Higashitani, a specialist in syndicated lending, who is recommended for his ‘dedication, expertise and excellence in service‘. Dual-qualified Anneliese Eger (Brazil and France) is active in corporate refinancings and debt renegotiations.

Financial services regulations are a mainstay of the banking and finance practice at FAS Advogados, in cooperation with CMS, which routinely advises well-established players and new market entrants on the structuring of new financial and payment products and application for licenses with the regulator. Virtual assets services providers such as cryptoexchanges and marketplaces also feature on the firm's client base, which routinely engages it in mandates involving banking, foreign exchange, derivatives, securities and payments regulations. Matters concerning credit fintechs and new open finance business models are key areas of growth for the team, which is under the joint leadership of Paulo Mertz Focaccia, a fintech specialist, and Vicente Piccoli Medeiros Braga, a financial and banking regulatory expert.

H Naves Advogados - a ‘boutique firm with a prominent presence in the financial sector‘ - is skilled at assisting financial and other credit institutions, both domestic and international, with banking regulatory mandates. The firm also fields the ability to advise on compliance and investigations in this sector. Helen Naves, ‘a highly competent, skilled and attentive professional‘, is a reference for banking regulations, debt transactions and capital markets matters.

A key port of call for financial and payment institutions, as well as fintechs and borrowers operating in a variety of industries, from energy to agribusiness, Lefosse Advogados‘ banking and finance team manages a mixed balance of transactional and regulatory mandates. With strong credentials in both domestic and cross-border deals, the group has significant experience in structured and acquisition finance, M&A in the financial services sector, project finance and debt restructuring. Renata Cardoso sits at the helm of the practice, bringing together expertise in securitisations, debt offerings, financing deals and banking regulations. Structured credit transactions and regulatory matters involving the Central Bank and the CVM are key specialisms for Kenneth Ferreira. The latter is a core area of activity for senior associate Fabio Perez, who also advises on bilateral and syndicated loans, trade and project finance.

Lobo de Rizzo Advogados is regularly engaged by Brazilian and foreign borrowers, financial institutions, development agencies and investment funds seeking advice on a wide variety of financing transactions. The team is particularly well placed to handle project finance in the energy and infrastructure sectors, but also assists with syndicated loans, derivative deals and trade finance mandates. Project finance and structured deals are among André Ramos Bedim‘s specialisms. Gustavo Silveira Da Cunha focuses on project finance, while Maria Costa Neves Machado handles both financing and capital markets transactions.

Home to one of the premier banking and finance practices in Brazil, Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados handles the full array of lending and structured finance transactions at the domestic and international levels. In addition to its solid transactional skills, the group is also proficient in administrative litigation and regulatory matters, often advising financial institutions and payment services companies on banking and payment regulations, foreign exchange, anti-money laundering issues and authorisations by the Central Bank and the Brazilian Securities Exchange Commission (CVM). Practice head Eduardo Avila de Castro and Nei Schilling Zelmanovits are key names to note for regulatory issues pertaining to the banking sector. Project finance and structured transactions in the transport, logistics and mining industries are key areas of activity for Adriano Schnur, while Renato Gomes Ribeiro Maggio stands out for his extensive experience in debt restructurings and special situations matters. Fully devoted to the banking sector, Rafael Carretero handles a mix of syndicated loans, debt restructurings, derivatives issues, and M&A.

Singled out ‘for its quality and performance in various areas of law‘, the ‘truly full-service‘ Mattos Filho fields a banking and finance practice that provides transactional, regulatory and administrative contentious services to a varied client base, which includes banks, payment industry agents and companies. On the transactional side, the firm acts for lenders and borrowers in structured finance, syndicated loans, hybrid transactions, trade finance and in the funding of projects, including multi-source financings involving multilaterals and export credit agencies. M&A involving banking and payment institutions are another core area of activity for the team. Frederico Kerr Bullamah, ‘one of the most qualified and respected professionals in his field‘, advises banks, investment funds, debtors and financial advisers on structured and corporate finance, debt restructuring and trade finance. Pablo Sorj focuses on project finance, while Flavia Magliozzi handles acquisition finance, syndicated lending and debt restructuring matters. The firm’s financial services regulatory capabilities are also of note: Larissa Arruy rejoined the team from fintech Neon in August 2023, bringing a wealth of experience in advising fintechs, financial and payments institutions; Paulo Brancher focuses on the intersection of banking and tech.

Standing out for its wealth of experience in cross-border financing transactions, Pinheiro Guimarães is a popular choice for private and institutional creditors, multilateral organisations and borrowers. The team is well versed in syndicated lending, refinancings, and trade finance, and is also skilled at assisting with the financing of energy projects, financial leases and securitisations. The group is under the leadership of a highly regarded trio: Plinio Pinheiro Guimarães N. (head of the Rio office) has a strong track record in finance, capital markets and M&A transactions; Francisco José Pinheiro Guimarães (leader of the São Paulo office) possesses similar expertise, with additional strength in debt restructuring and distressed deals; Ivie Moura Alves focuses on financing transactions involving capital markets instruments such as domestic debentures and debt issuances. Fábio Yanitchkis Couto excels in structured finance and debt restructuring.

Pinheiro Neto Advogados remains at the forefront of the banking and finance market in Brazil, handling some of the largest financing transactions in the market. Rated for its ‘technical knowledge‘ and ‘negotiation skills‘, the team is often sought out by traditional banks, new market entrants, international players, technology providers and institutional investors for its blend of transactional and regulatory expertise. The firm is seen with great regularity advising on trade finance, project finance, debt restructurings, M&A in the banking sector, securitisations, and licensing and authorisation processes at the Central Bank. Bringing together extensive experience in traditional banking issues, crypto assets, blockchain and fintech, Bruno Balduccini assists with financing transactions, M&A, regulatory discussions, and the launch of new banking and payment products. Jose Luiz Homem de Mello is a name to note for M&A in the banking sector. Raphael Palmieri Salomão focuses on foreign exchange, electronic payments and fintech matters. The latter is a key area of expertise for Tatiana Mello Guazzelli, who assists with regulatory mandates concerning open banking, instant payments, cryptocurrency and blockchain.

Primarily known for its strength in agribusiness financings, Santos Neto Advogados advises major financial institutions and trading companies on syndicated lending, commodity finance, derivative deals and restructuring mandates. The practice is under the joint leadership of banking and finance specialist Nicolau Nardi and Domício Dos Santos Neto. Santos Neto and Paula Moraes dos Santos ‘stand out for their client support, technical knowledge, speed and practicality in solutions‘.

Showcasing a wealth of experience in both lender and borrower-side mandates, Stocche Forbes Advogados‘ banking and finance practice manages a balanced transactional workload, encompassing acquisition and structured finance, debt renegotiations and trade finance deals. Financial institutions, development banks, multilateral agencies and major companies all seek the team’s regular advice on domestic and cross-border financing deals and banking regulatory matters. Frederico Moura, who handles a mix of capital markets, M&A, project finance and debt restructuring work, ‘stands out for his technical quality’, while Henrique Filizzola, a key contact for financial institutions, investment funds and large corporations, focuses on structured finance and securitisations. ‘Attentive to commercial and business issues‘, Eduardo Pereira has recently advised on large acquisition financings, securitisations and debt restructurings.

Singled out for its ‘versatility and experience in deals of different formats and specificities‘, the banking and finance group at Tauil & Chequer Advogados is particularly skilled at handling cross-border transactions, often working in close collaboration with its New York office. Its impressive client roster features multiple domestic and international financial institutions, corporate borrowers, multilateral agencies and equity sponsors, which turn to the team for assistance with project finance, debt restructuring, asset-based lending and structured deals. The practice is jointly led by a capable trio: Eduardo Lima maintains a broad practice covering financing transactions and banking regulatory issues; Luis Montes excels in project finance; and Priscilla Santos brings together expertise in banking, foreign exchange regulations, fintech and investment funds.

Under the leadership of capital markets, banking and finance specialist Alexei Bonamin, TozziniFreire Advogados‘ department offers regular assistance to domestic and international clients – including banks and financial intermediaries – with corporate and project finance, syndicated facilities, debt restructuring, banking and financial licences. The group excels in complex regulatory matters, often advising digital banks and payment companies on the structuring and review of their business models and matters before the Central Bank. Practice head Bonamin is the key point of contact for multinational banks in relation to cross-border lending mandates. Marcus Fonseca specialises in issues concerning fintechs, derivatives, fund formation and foreign exchange transactions. Pedro Eroles is no longer at the firm.

Active in both lender and borrower-side mandates, Trench Rossi Watanabe fields a specialist banking and finance team that is proficient in project finance, debt restructuring agreements, and export financings, among other mandates. 'Able to offer innovative and personalised solutions', the team attracts regular instructions from domestic, European and US banks, which turn to the group for advice on transactional and regulatory issues. Standing out 'for his in-depth knowledge of debt, whether in banking, debt capital markets or restructuring', Luis Alberto Ambrósio is the key point of contact in the practice.

Financial institutions, development agencies and major corporate borrowers from a variety of industries regularly turn to Veirano Advogados for assistance with the negotiation of a host of financing agreements. Noted for its ‘highly responsive and pragmatic approach‘, the team is particularly active in high-profile mandates involving project, acquisition and asset finance. Ana Carolina Barretto, who stands out for her experience in project and corporate finance, and João Paulo Servera, a key contact for asset-based lending in the aviation sector, jointly oversee the group. Elisa Rezende is singled out for her involvement in a multitude of domestic and cross-border transactions, including syndicated lending and project finance deals.

Private loan transactions and financial regulatory issues are key pillars of the banking and finance practice at Vella Pugliese Buosi e Guidoni Advogados, a popular destination for Brazilian and international financial institutions and major corporate borrowers. Founding partner Rodrigo Vilardo Vella handles M&A, private equity, and banking and finance matters. He heads the practice with Gabriella Maranesi Najjar, whose areas of expertise include project, trade, corporate, acquisition and asset finance, while Denise Chachamovitz Leão de Salles often advises payment services, credit institutions and fintechs on regulatory mandates.