Next Generation Partners

Banking and finance in Taiwan

Baker McKenzie

The banking and finance practice at Baker McKenzie is an integrated, internationally connected practice representing some of the largest corporations and financial institutions operating in the region, particularly in the renewable energy sector. The firm routinely assists Taiwanese banks with their expansion into South-East Asia in accordance with the Taiwanese government’s ‘New Southbound Policy’. Justin Liang and Hao-Ray Hu lead the department with experience in non-performing loans, acquisitions of failed financial institutions, and post-acquisition integration. Wayne Yang is highly valued for his work relating to local syndicated loans, while Bee Leay Teo focuses on cross-border syndicated loans. Murray Bowler brings key expertise to the department’s project financing wing, particularly the booming renewable energy sector. Evangeline Wang is also highly recommended.

Responsables de la pratique:

Justin Liang; Hao-Ray Hu

Autres avocats clés:

Wayne Yang; Bee Leay Tao; Murray Bowler; Evangeline Wang

Principaux clients

Far Eastern International Bank, Ltd. (3 case matters)

China Steel Power Corporation

Vena Energy

MP Energy Co., Ltd.

Principaux dossiers

  • Acted as Taiwan legal counsel for Far Eastern International Bank on a Syndicated Term Loan Facility to finance the purchase of three aircraft to be held by special purpose vehicles and leased to China Airlines.
  • Acted as Taiwan legal counsel for China Steel Power Corporation on the approx. US$1.6 billion project financing of the Zhong Neng Offshore Wind Farm Project.
  • Acted as international and Taiwan legal counsel for Vena Energy on the approx. US$280 million project financing of the Yunlin E2 Solar Energy Project.

Lee and Li, Attorneys-at-Law

Capable of keeping pace with Taiwan’s growing energy and semiconductor industries, the banking and finance practice at Lee and Li, Attorneys-at-Law is a broad and effective practice boasting impressive integration with other departments at the firm. The practice is particularly experienced acting as local counsel in complex international multi-party transactions. Hsin-Lan Hsu leads with broad financial and investment experience. Sarah Wu is adept in project financing, particularly in the infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. Robin Chang advises major international commercial and investment banks on their Taiwanese outfits, while Abe Sung is experienced in securitisation and structured financing. Patricia Lin (joint US/Taiwan qualified) is particularly experienced in international corporate finance, syndicated financing, and aircraft/ship financing. Maggie Huang  and Odin Hsu are highly recommended at the associate level.

Responsables de la pratique:

Hsin-Lan Hsu

Autres avocats clés:

Sarah Wu; Robin Chang; Abe Sung; Patricia Lin; Mark Yu; James Huang; Maggie Huang; Odin Hsu

Principaux clients

Citibank Taiwan Limited

Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Limited

BNP Paribas

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited

BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA, S.A.

DBS Bank (Taiwan) Ltd., Co.

Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.

UBS AG

Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank

Société Générale

Goldman Sachs (Asia) L.L.C.

Principaux dossiers

  • Acted as Taiwan legal counsel to the lenders, in one of Taiwan’s largest syndicated loans transactions of 2022.    
  • Acted as the Taiwan local counsel for the syndicated lenders in the Zhong Neng Offshore Wind Farm Project (including but not limited to Bank of Taiwan, Mega Bank, Taiwan Cooperative Bank, and CTBC Bank). This is the first offshore windfarm financing led by local banks (especially sovereign banks).

Jones Day

Closely connected to the firm’s corporate and M&A departments, the banking and finance department at Jones Day serves clients across a broad range of industries, including retail, manufacturing, technology, transport, telecoms, and real estate. The department is led by Raymond Wang, whose extensive cross-border experience makes him a key player in share swaps, IPOs, privatisations and corporate restructuring. Associate Yen-Chen Chen is highly regarded for her work in private placements, share swaps, joint ventures, and real estate investments.

Responsables de la pratique:

Raymond Wang

Autres avocats clés:

Yen-Chen Chen

Principaux clients

Yulon Group

Fubon Financial Holding Co. Ltd.

United Renewable Energy Co., Ltd.

Principaux dossiers

  • Advises  Yulon Group regarding a syndication loan facility, under which the Bank of Taiwan will arrange and extend a NTD 10 billion term loan facility to Yulon to finance a housing development and construction project in New Taipei City.
  • Assisting StrongLED Lighting Systems (Cayman) Co., Ltd. in applying for public offerings of convertible bonds and listings on the Taipei Exchange.
  • Advising United Renewable Energy Co., Ltd. as borrower in the review, negotiation and translation of a loan agreement with King’s Town Bank, as well as in the loan drawdown process.

Lin & Partners Attorneys-At-Law

Lin & Partners Attorneys-At-Law routinely advises international investment banks, global institutional investors, and Taiwanese branches of global banks on cross-border, region-wide transactional and regulatory matters. George Lin has ensured the team is well placed to keep pace with developments in e-commerce, blockchain, cryptocurrency and fintech. Kaiju Lee has vast experience assisting financial institutions and private investors in dealing with traditional and emerging financial sector regulations, while Ted Liu specialises in securities, futures and structured financing. Liu assists Ben Chiou  with the firm’s recent work in ship financing, specifically for vessels linked to offshore wind farm projects.

Responsables de la pratique:

George Lin; Kaiju Lee

Autres avocats clés:

Ben Chiou; Ted Liu

Principaux clients

Bankers Association of ROC

Academy for the Judiciary, MOJ

Principaux dossiers

  • Advised the Bankers Association of the Republic of China on the industry’s standard credit card agreement, including revolving interests structures, shaping the direction of the policies that BAROC may propose in the near future.
  • Advised the Academy for the Judiciary on solutions to combat fintech crime.

Tsar & Tsai Law Firm

Operating in the technology, manufacturing and renewable energy sectors, Tsar & Tsai Law Firm cater to domestic and international clients in syndicated loans and project financing, particularly for solar and offshore wind farm developments. Jointly led by Jackie Lin  and Janice Lin, the practice is an effective local counsel for the Taiwanese arm of complex international deals. Jackie Lin brings 20 years’ finance experience and a joint qualification in Taiwan and the United States. Janice Lin specialises in loan and project financing, and regularly advises international entities on the financing of their M&A activity in Taiwan. Lynn Lin is also noted for her 20 years’ experience in cross-border corporate financing.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jackie Lin; Janice Lin

Autres avocats clés:

Lynn Lin

Principaux clients

Bank of Taiwan

Cathay United Bank

Sumimoto Mitsui Banking Corporation

BNP Paribas

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited

E.Sun Commercial Bank

Huatai Special Opportunities Fund

Academia Sinica

LCY ChemicalCorp.]

Lenders, hedge banks and ECAs in Greater Changhua 1 offshore wind farm

Lenders, hedge banks and ECAs in Formosa 1 offshore wind project

Lenders, hedge banks and ECAs in Formosa 2 offshore wind project

Lenders, hedge banks and ECAs in Yunlin offshore wind project

Principaux dossiers

  • Assisted the syndicated lenders in a financing project for the privatisation of Baring PE Fund and the major shareholders for Ginko International. This was thelargest privatisation transaction in 2021.
  • Acted as Taiwan legal counsel to the lenders, hedge banks and ECAs in the project financing of 605MW Greater Changhua 1 offshore wind farm, handling the US$2.7 billion co-investment by CDPQ/Cathay Sustainable Private Equity Fund.
  • Assisted Cathay United Bank and its offshore branch in its offering of offshore structured notes and sale to onshore qualified investors. This case is the first product launched after Taiwan lifted the restrictions for sale of offshore structured products.

Enlighten Law Group

With broad banking experience, Enlighten Law Group operates within the fintech, blockchain and manufacturing sectors, as well as conducting research and analysis on behalf of government agencies in the finance sectors. The firm predominantly advises on regulatory and compliance matters in cross-border financial transactions. Kunchou Tsai  focuses on blockchain, financial regulations, and investment disputes. Laurence Kao‘s joint US-Taiwan qualification is a key asset for clients. Jingfan Chen is noted for his work in security futures, while Shin Yu Lu and Andy Yang are recommended at the associate level.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kunchou Tsai; Jingfan Chen; Laurence Kao

Autres avocats clés:

Shin Yu Lu; Andy Yang

Les références

‘This is a very dynamic and commercial solutions-orientated practice. Very responsive and hard working.’

Principaux clients

The Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA)

CADesigner Engineering Sp. z o.o.

ChenFull International Co., Ltd

The Department of Investment Services (DOIS), Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA)

Hoyabit Digital Technology Co., Ltd.

Woheng Technology Limited

RSS3 Foundation

Stuart James Muller

Nice Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Taiwan NPO Self-Regulation Alliance (TWNPO)

DLE Inc.

Ornatus Taiwan Ltd.

Principaux dossiers

  • Advised and represented Nice Enterprise Co., Ltd. on the management control of Financial Holding Company’s potential M&A plan.
  • Advised AC Capital on the establishment of an investment fund in the Cayman Islands.
  • Advised Hoyabit Digital Technology Co., Ltd. on their application to Taiwan Financial Supervisory Committee to establish a virtual currency platform.

Formosan Brothers Attorneys at Law

Formosan Brothers Attorneys at Law advises a wide range of domestic banks and foreign corporations on project financings and compliance reviews in the real estate, construction and technology sectors. Li-Pu Lee is experienced in cross-border M&A in the finance sector, while Terry Tu specialises in securities, focusing on underwriters on bond issuances and prospective OTC share listings. Kuo-Ming Huang’s experience as a financial prosecutor is a key asset to the firm.

Responsables de la pratique:

Li-Pu Lee

Autres avocats clés:

Terry Tu; Kuo-Ming Huang

LCS & Partners

The banking and finance arm of LCS & Partners act for a selection of international financial institutions on cross-border financing and loan reviews. Mark Harty leads the department with a joint US/Taiwan qualification and a focus on syndicated loans, structured finance, and derivatives. David Chuang compliments the team with his experience in securitisation, and asset purchases of domestic and overseas REITs. Alex Yeh is recommended for secured loan arrangements cross-border investments and.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mark Harty; David Chuang; Alex Yeh

Principaux clients

Banco Santander S.A.

China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited

CICC Financial Trading Limited

AMP Capital

Principaux dossiers

  • Advised Banco Santander S.A., on the project financing and mortgaging of its four new container vessels, with a deal value of USD$ 77 million.
  • Advised AMP Capital on the project financing of an offshore wind project with the deal value of USD$ 130 million.

Chien Yeh Law Offices

Chien Yeh Law Offices works with a number of domestic banks and financial institutions on syndicated loans, debt financings, and structured financing, with a focus on regulatory compliance. Head of department Chien-Ting Yeh is noted for his work in negotiable instrument and securities exchange litigations, while Hui-Yi Cheng is experienced in futures disputes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Chien-Ting Yeh

Autres avocats clés:

Hiu-Yi Cheng

Russin & Vecchi (International Legal Counsellors)

Russin & Vecchi (International Legal Counsellors) assists multinational clients in the banking industry operating in Taiwan. The team, which is led by Thomas McGowan and Hwei-Yu Cho, specialises in debt refinancing work. It also has expertise in regulatory compliance and the establishment of business operations in Taiwan.

Responsables de la pratique:

Thomas McGowan; Hwei Yu Cho