Baker & McKenzie - CIS, Limited focuses on cross-border transactions for international clients, with the team specialising in matters involving aviation finance including leases, financings/re-financings and purchases; the practice has been selected as a member of the Aviation Working Group’s Legal Advisory Panel. Azamat Kuatbekov leads the team and is experienced in cross-border financings for leading banks. Alexander Korchagin covers all aspects of banking, finance and capital markets, and assists Kuatbekov with complex transactions.

Centil Law‘s banking and finance practice is involved in high-profile, international projects, including the financing by the China Development Bank of a Kazakh quasi-public bank. The team provides a full service within banking and finance under Kazakh law, with services ranging from financing deals, to drafting, negotiating and advice in respect of the terms of credit facilities. Dinara Jarmukhanova leads the practice and has acts for local and international banks on financial transactions, as well as advising international lenders and Kazakhstan-based borrowers on cross-border loans. Asror Fayzov advises foreign banks and international organisations on major cross-border transactions, as well as on Kazakh law regulatory requirements.

The banking and finance practice at Dentons is led by Vassiliy Zenov, who is focused on a broad variety of services including advising on financial regulations and derivatives, as well as capital markets. The team covers a full service within banking and finance including assisting with syndicated financing, restructuring, aviation financing and Islamic finance, while in capital markets, the firm covers debt capital markets, derivatives and securitisation transactions. Abai Shaikenov has a track record working as part of a multi-office team advising major airlines on cross-border transactions. Alexandra Fasakhova is experienced in advising financial institutions and corporate clients on bank lending, including project finance, syndicated lending and trade finance, and has assisted both Zenov and Shaikenov with the firm’s leading matters.

Kinstellar LLP‘s banking, finance and capital markets department combines expertise from lawyers qualified in Kazakhstan, the AIFC, the US and UK. The team is noted for leading international IPOs for fintech companies and, working closely with its corporate and M&A practice, handling significant transactions in the banking sector. Practice heads Joel Benjamin and Adlet Yerkinbayev specialise in capital market deals and high-stakes transactions including trade finance, project finance and debt capital markets, with Yerkinbayev often utilising his understanding of the AIFC and AIX to advise on international transactions. Pavel Kornilov and Yerlan Akhmetov are other key names.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP remains at the forefront of banking and finance in Kazakhstan, with expertise handling secured financing and cross-border joint ventures. Practice head Aset Shyngyssov also covers capital markets transactions, as well as leading on cross-border transactions involving multinational companies. Asem Bakenova is involved in cross-border joint ventures and deals involving international banks, and Karina Mazhidenova is another key name. Anna Kornilova and Laura Stamkulova provide additional support.

SIGNUM Law Firm is active in advising lenders, corporate borrowers and investors on high-value banking and finance deals. Liza Zhumakhmetova  advises a range of clients on corporate transactions and secured financing and played a leading role on the high-profile secured financing for the first 1 Gigawatt wind plant in Kazakhstan. Sofiya Zhylkaidarova is experienced in advising international clients active in a range of industry sectors including oil and gas on financial matters. Ulan Stybayev is noted for his focus on international banking and finance deals, including advising lenders and borrowers on transactional and regulatory matters.

AEQUITAS handles a range of banking and finance matters, from the issue and placement of shares, to advising clients on local regulations over transactions with securities and the activities of securities market participants. Yelena Manayenko heads the banking and finance team and handles banking legislation and the nuances found in Kazakh law, especially in high-value cross-border transactions. Yekaterina Khamidullina is experienced in project financing and in matters involving the Astana International Financial Centre. Zhandaulet Sholanov is also noted.

GRATA International’s team is experienced in a range of services including PPP and project finance, including those involving energy and infrastructure deals both in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian jurisdictions. Shaimerden Chikanayev co-leads the practice and has been involved in numerous securities and cross-border capital markets transactions, including IPOs and eurobonds issuances; he is also noted for his expertise in PPP and investment law and is a member of the expert council on PPPs at the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan. Marina Kahiani also co-leads the practice and is experienced in cross-border lending transactions, payment systems regulation and other regulatory issues, as well as IPOs. Lola Abdukhalykova and Zarina Kabashova are other key names.

White & Case Kazakhstan LLP's team is involved in a variety of capital markets transactions, with team members active in both domestic and cross-border deals across the wider CIS and EMEA regions. The group frequently works alongside colleagues from the firm's international offices on cross-border matters. Maxim Telemtayev is the head of the practice and specialises in cross-border transactions and project finance.