Domestic and cross-border lending, transactional and regulatory matters make up the busy workload of the banking and financing, and capital markets teams at A&O Shearman. The team has a traditionally strong track record in capital markets and structured finance transactions, and also noted an increase in borrower-side mandates across the energy, TMT and agricultural sectors. Károly Fóti leads the banking and finance group and, the firm also boasts an English law banking and finance department, led by Miklós Kádár, who counts lenders, borrowers, sponsors, arrangers and investors among his clients. András Bajzik brings expertise in acquisition and asset finance to the firm, as well as offering regulatory advice on loan portfolio transfers. Norbert Hete leads the capital markets and derivatives practice, covering straight debt, covered bond, regulatory capital, equity capital market and structured finance transactions. Zsuzsanna Gordos strengthens the team’s global reach, advising both domestic and international clients on various capital markets transactions, including standalone bonds, EMTN and GMTN programmes.

Following his promotion to partner in May 2023, Levente Hegedüs has taken over from managing partner Csilla Andrékó as head of the banking, finance and capital markets team at Kinstellar Andrékó Ferenczi & Társai Ügyvédi Iroda. A go-to choice for both domestic and international clients, the team’s extensive and diverse roster includes financial institutions, companies and ministries as well as banks, borrowers and issuers. The group is active across a wide range of industries, including project finance transactions within the infrastructure and energy sectors. Noted for its ‘deep knowledge of the industry’, the team’s expertise extends to financial regulatory advice, bond issues, and equity and debt transactions. The team’s restructuring and insolvency practice has shown recent growth, advising creditors, debtors, investors and sponsors, and banking litigation is another developing area. Dalma Ördögh brings experience in PPP/PFI finance, acquisition financing, and syndicated and secured lending to the team. Zsuzsa Andrékó was promoted to managing associate in April 2022, strengthening the bench, which also inlcudes Máté Nagy, at that level.

With an established team comprising both Hungarian and UK-qualified experts, CMS advises key players in the finance sector on matters from bond issuances to financings and refinancings. The firm is a go-to choice for major international banks, financial services providers and private equity players. The practice handles various regulatory projects and boasts a team of dedicated regulatory and fintech lawyers. As managing partner and the firm’s head of finance for the CEE and CIS regions, Erika Papp leads the team. Eszter Török, who is qualified in both Hungary and the UK, has over 20 years’ experience across the spectrum of banking and finance matters, including those relating to project and real estate finance, while Dorottya Varga-Giesz focuses on loan portfolio transactions. Árpád Lantos‘ extensive expertise covers corporate finance and MBOs. Sándor Kovács has a strong track record representing financial institutions in litigation before Hungarian courts. Since publication, former Dentons country manager Gábor Király rejoined the practice (in September 2024).

From funding and lending to regulatory matters, the banking, finance and capital markets team at Dentons demonstrates both local and international finance capabilities. The group advises lenders, underwrites, arrangers and borrowers on financing and refinancing matters, as well as restructuring and insolvency issues. The practice assists a stellar list of banks with financing transactions and has a strong background in banking regulatory work. Green financing and ESG matters are key focus areas for the team; recently, the group has been active in solar power park development, supporting clients throughout the full life cycle of projects. Gabriella Pataki brings over 10 years’ experience, with a focus on financial services and markets, to the team. At the associate level, Bence Böszörményi and Nóra Ordódy-Nagy are names to note. Since publication, former practice head Gábor Király departed the team.

Drawing on its cross-practice expertise, the banking, finance and capital markets team at DLA Piper Posztl, Nemescsói, Györfi-Tóth and Partners Law Firm works in tandem with tax and business experts to offer clients a holistic service within the finance space. The firm handles the full spectrum of banking and finance transactions, from bond issues and syndicated loans to asset, acquisition and project financing, and boasts a strong track record in restructuring and insolvency proceedings. With a balanced borrower and lender practice that spans various sectors, Gábor Borbély leads on the finance side, while András Nemescsói and Gábor Molnár co-head the capital markets practice. Nemescsói is active in the Hungarian market, regularly advising on IPOs and takeover bids, and handles ECM and DCM transactions, litigation and regulatory work, along with Balázs Szalbot, who deals with regulatory issues related to financial markets. Molnár advises investors, owners and targets on domestic and multi-jurisdictional M&A transactions, supported by András Orbán. Attila Sári has experience in debt restructuring and loan portfolio sales. In September 2023, György Boros joined the team from Siegler Bird & Bird Ügyvédi Iroda.

Noted for its ‘high-quality legal advice’, the banking, finance and capital markets team at Lakatos, Köves and Partners demonstrates pre-eminence in asset finance. The team is regularly engaged as local counsel by major international names, as well as acting on Eurobond issuances involving Hungarian players, and advising Hungarian investors in outbound investments. Centering on the energy sector, the team’s project finance expertise sees it regularly assisting lenders with solar projects. As an English and Hungarian-qualified banking expert, practice co-head John Fenemore brings extensive cross-border capabilities across securitisation, trade finance and bond issuance to the team. As well as demonstrating expertise in banking and capital markets regulations, products and litigation, Fenemore’s co-head Szabolcs Mestyán heads up the firm’s aviation practice, supported by Balázs Rokob. Ágnes Ábrahám plays an active role in the team’s bond issuance transactions, including sovereign bond transactions. Pál Rahóty leads the financial regulatory team, while Gergely Kántor and Botond Horváth focus on corporate governance. Infrastructure financing is one of Gabriella Szabó’s areas of expertise. Péter Köves rounds out the roster of recommended names. In team news, January 2024 saw the arrival of Zsuzsanna Lukács from Nagy és Trócsányi Ügyvédi Iroda.

Valued for exhibiting ‘deep professional knowledge combined with a wide range of experience‘, Siegler Bird & Bird Ügyvédi Iroda‘s banking, finance and capital markets team advises on the full gamut of financing transactions, including syndicated and structured financing. The team counts various major banks among its clients and, with both lender and borrower expertise, advises clients from the energy and fintech sectors. Csongor Tompa took over as practice head in September 2022, after joining the firm from CMS EU; he brings a wealth of experience across the financial services sector to the group, and is noted for a particular focus on project and real estate finance. Gábor Zoltán Szabó focuses on both domestic and cross-border structured finance transactions, as well as bankruptcy and insolvency matters. Konrád Siegler has an established reputation in the capital markets space, with over 30 years’ experience in the sector. Tamás Simon is another notable name. Áron Tóth also joined the team from CMS EU in September 2023.

Focusing on the CEE and SEE regions, the banking and finance team at Wolf Theiss Faludi Ügyvédi Iroda advises Hungarian and international borrowers, banks, insurance companies, funds and other financial services institutions. The practice’s diverse client base sees the team advise on a full spectrum of transactions, from commercial lending, to private equity, to securitisation. The group’s holistic approach draws on its cross-practice expertise and the team often advises on the commercial and M&A aspects of investment projects. An increased focus on the energy sector has seen the group advise on the financing of renewable energy projects, and the team counts investors in solar park and PV power plant developments among its newer clients. Practice head Melinda Pelikán has almost 20 years’ experience in the financing of construction and infrastructure projects. László Lovas advises on regulatory matters within the banking and capital markets sectors, supporting credit institutions, public and private companies, and investment fund managers. Since publication, Gergely Szalóki has arrived from Schoenherr Hetényi Ügyvédi Iroda to take up a position as co-head of the team.

Well-known for its expertise in the capital markets space, the banking, finance and capital markets team at Deloitte Legal Göndöcz and Partners Law Firm advises on bond and share issues, the preparation of offering and stock exchange documentation and IPO matters. The practice also offers its clients extensive financial and risk advisory services. Renewable energy projects have been a recent area of increased focus, with the team advising on both financial and regulatory aspects. Linda Al Sallami heads the practice, bringing a wealth of experience in domestic and cross-border financing and restructuring transactions to the team. Péter Göndöcz advises private equity houses, venture capital and multinational companies, and high-net-worth-individuals on their investments, while Sára Rideg has notable experience in the energy and utilities sectors. Anett Csiszár joined in March 2023 from KELER Group, bringing increased financial and regulatory compliance expertise to the group, and Zoltán Zagyva joined in February from Kinstellar, and is developing the practice’s cryptocurrency and digital securities practice.

The banking, finance and capital markets team at Gárdos Mosonyi Tomori Law Office advises major Hungarian financial institutions, banks and investment firms. The fintech sector has been a recent area of focus and the team is advising domestic companies on new payment solutions. The practice advises on regulatory matters, as well as being actively involved in banking and capital markets-related litigation. Established capital markets expert Erika Tomori leads the team alongside Péter Gárdos, who has extensive litigation experience within the banking sector. Beatrix Berkes boasts a wealth of capital markets expertise, particularly in the investment space, and advises on the establishment of investment firms, as well as licensing processes and legal compliance. Veronika Bakonyi advises financial institutions and fintech companies on payment services, while Dániel Szabó focuses on securities and corporate law.

'Reliable expert' József Vági leads the banking, finance and capital markets team at Hegymegi-Barakonyi and Fehérváry Baker&McKenzie Attorneys-at-Law. The group advises banks, both domestic and foreign, on acquisition financing and refinancing, as well as regulatory matters. Investment funds are a growing client base within the practice and the team displays strength in investment management and property investment. Real estate is one of the group’s particular strengths, and it regularly advises on significant real estate financing transactions in the Hungarian market and counts major developers among its clients. The practice saw a recent increase in project finance mandates, supported by Andrea Weinraub’s expertise in financing transactions, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Robert Tran supports the group’s capital markets work, focusing on the drafting and negotiation of credit facility and collateral agreements.

Boutique firm HP Legal | Hajdu & Partners specialises in business and finance law, providing clients with tailored advice on the full range of banking, finance and project development matters. The ‘highly responsive‘ banking and finance team has experience on both the lender and borrower side of transactions, advising commercial banks, and international and domestic private and public companies. The team’s practice spans various industries and the renewable energy sector is a particular area of expertise. Practice co-head László Hajdu has over 20 years’ experience in various transactions, from syndicated, bilateral and secured lending, to corporate, trade, acquisition and project finance. Hajdu's counterpart Réka Versics is an expert in real estate finance.

Kapolyi Law Firm‘s ‘highly experienced and committed’ banking and finance team has a balanced borrower and lender client base which spans various investment funds and managers, as well as asset managers, credit institutions and brokerage firms. The team works in tandem with the tax department to provide clients with holistic advice on the regulated markets. The group has a strong track record in private placements, IPOs and SPOs, as well as the establishment of clients’ business activities before the National Bank of Hungary. With almost 30 years’ experience, Balázs Ferenczy heads up the team, leading the banking regulatory work. As head of the capital markets team, Viktor Krezinger has experience in licensing procedures related to account transfers and acquisitions of capital markets firms. Zsófia Somlóvári is noted for her experience in insolvency proceedings.

Noerr‘s banking and capital markets practice offers advice on the full range of relevant transactions, including real estate, project and acquisition finance. The team counts banks, funds, insurance companies and financial investors among its client base, and advises on both lender and borrower-side mandates. Banking regulatory compliance is a key focus area, and the team offers advice related to the financial supervisory authority and the stock exchange. The group regularly advises on cross-border mandates, assisting local and international clients with both single and multi-currency transactions. ‘Impressive’ practice head Edina Schweizer focuses on capital markets, and restructuring and insolvency matters.

Sándor Békési leads the banking and finance team at Partos & Noblet in co-operation with Hogan Lovells International LLP in its cross-border advice across the CEE region. The team fields extensive expertise in financial regulation, especially in the retail banking space, and offers advice to international financial institutions on regulatory matters relating to the Hungarian and EU markets. The group demonstrates particular strength in the fintech sector, advising on investments alongside e-consumers and e-money issues. Gábor Kószó’s practice spans both lender and borrower work and includes advice on secured and unsecured lending, bilateral and syndicated loans, and subordinated debt and intercreditor issues.

A recent increase in project financing mandates has seen the banking, finance and capital markets team at Schoenherr Hetényi Ügyvédi Iroda frequently advising on the financing of solar power plants. The group assists both domestic and foreign clients, counting banks and private equity investment groups among its core clientele. Regulatory issues are another of the team’s areas of expertise. In February 2024, Gabor Pazsitka joined from CERHA HEMPEL Dezso & Partners to act as the practice head. At the associate level, Noémi Csiki and Bálint Bodó are recommended; the former focuses on capital markets, advising on debt matters, such as restructurings and issuances.

With a strong borrower and lender practice, the banking and finance team at Szecskay Attorneys at Law advises banks and financial institutions, as well as corporate borrowers. The group advises on Hungarian financial and investment service regulations and covers all types of disputes within the banking, financial markets and regulatory fields. Katalin Szecskay heads the team, and her practice spans the full range of transactional work, from project finance to real estate, acquisition and corporate finance. Gergely Benyó advises on workouts and restructurings, while Bence Molnár brings extensive corporate and M&A experience to the team. János Vajda handles dispute resolution within the banking sector and Judit Szórádi is an expert in regulatory banking matters. Judit Budai heads the capital markets practice, advising investment banks, and providing international lending institutions with transactional advice on bond issues and equity offerings.

Gábor Pázsitka joined CERHA HEMPEL Dezso & Partners as co-head of the banking and finance team from Jalsovszky in January 2023; he has strengthened the team’s cross-border reach, with experience in both international and Hungarian finance transactions. Edina Nagy, who co-leads alongside Pázsitka, is experienced in restructuring and insolvency matters, as well as banking and finance litigation. Nagy also works on project finance transactions, and the team has recently seen an increase in green energy project financings.

Luca Bokor and Gábor Erdős jointly lead the banking, finance and capital markets team at Erdos • Partners, both contributing particular expertise in the real estate and energy sectors. The team advises both lenders and borrowers on financings and refinancings in the real estate sector, as well as handling the full life cycle of renewable energy project financings. The team’s capital markets practice focuses on green bond issuance; Mátyás Környei has experience in bond and tap issuances of regular, private and green bonds and IPOs. György Katona left the team in May 2023.

Forgó, Damjanovic & Partners Law Firm‘s diverse list of banking and capital markets clients continues to grow, with the recent addition of several major international names; the team’s extensive roster includes clients in the energy sector, and the group is advising on numerous solar power plant acquisitions. Ferenc Lénárt leads the team in a large number of cross-border and multi-jurisdictional transactions, acting for both lenders and borrowers.

Jalsovszky’s ‘exceptionally dedicated and highly skilled‘ banking, finance and capital markets team has been expanding its PPA-based green energy financing capabilities and now regularly advises on solar energy projects. The team assists lenders and borrowers with both domestic and cross-border finance transactions. Pál Jalsovszky leads the team alongside Ádám Boross, who has experience advising clients active in capital markets on regulatory issues. Zsibrita Boglárka’s areas of expertise include green energy and sustainable projects, as well as advice on acquisition finance and syndicated transactions.

Gergő Szalai-Bordás leads the banking and finance team at KPMG Legal Tóásó Law Firm. The practice is noted for its specialism in financial regulatory matters, as well as its knowledge of the Hungarian receivable management industry. Tamás Varga’s extensive knowledge of the operation and structure of financial institutions makes him well positioned to advise on their establishment and authorisation proceedings before the National Bank of Hungary. Tamás Vágner has a wealth of capital markets experience and also advises on insolvency issues.

Financial regulation is a core focus for the banking and finance team at Nagy és Trócsányi Ügyvédi Iroda. The group also advises on restructuring and insolvency matters, as well as credit facilities and collateral agreements. Practice head György Kiszely specialises in regulatory advice, regularly representing clients before the financial regulatory authority, and Zóra Lehoczki’s practice centres on financial regulatory issues and investment services. Balázs Karsai and Mónika Vrancsik bring expertise in banking litigation to the group.

The ‘reliable, attentive and competent’ banking and finance team at Oppenheim Ugyvedi Iroda advises a growing list of both local and foreign banks, and the group is regularly involved in cross-border financing matters. The team demonstrates specialised knowledge of the financing of energy-related projects. Practice head Péter Horvai-Hillenbrand has over 20 years’ experience advising clients in the banking and finance space, with a particular focus on the borrower side. Gergely Szécsényi advises foreign banks and companies on cross-border deals and financial regulatory matters.

The banking and finance team at Szabó Kelemen & Partners Andersen Attorneys advises commercial and state-owned banks and investment funds, as well as borrowers across the energy and renewables, construction and logistics sectors. Practice head Péter Vincze has over 20 years’ experience, ranging from capital markets, to restructuring and insolvency, to regulatory matters. Along with Erik Landgraf, Zoltán Módos advises on project and trade finance, including cross-border financings. Levente Kálmán specialises in real estate finance, while Tamás Kárpáthegyi advises on syndicated lending, refinancing and securities.

Vámosi-Nagy Ernst & Young Law Office fields an established banking, finance and capital markets team, which has a stellar track record advising on capital markets transactions, both in the debt and equity spaces. The team’s holistic approach draws on practice head Iván Sefer’s strong track record in M&A transactions, as well as Walid Frőlich‘s expertise as a qualified tax advisor and Péter Csonga’s experience in financial regulatory matters. Evelin Tóth-Szőke has experience in BSE Xtend and XBond multilateral trading facility transactions.