Freshfields Acted on Invest Bank P.S.C.'s Successful Capital Restructuring

Freshfields Acted on Invest Bank P.S.C.'s Successful Capital Restructuring

Global legal powerhouse Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (Freshfields) played a pivotal role in guiding Invest Bank P.S.C. through a ground-breaking capital restructuring plan. This first-of-its-kind initiative for the UAE included securing a government guarantee from the Emirate of Sharjah for a specific loan and asset portfolio.

The complex process involved navigating several regulatory hurdles, including issuing new shares at a discounted par value under the recently introduced Commercial Companies Law (CCL), obtaining exemptions from the CCL, and engaging in extensive discussions with the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX).

Freshfields' team, led by partner Pervez Akhtar, meticulously navigated the transaction's complexities. Associate Khaled Al-Assaf spearheaded the execution, expertly guided by counsel Abdallah Maher.

Partner Patrick Cichy, alongside Principal Associate Jan Biermann and Associate Simon Schulte, all Corporate/M&A experts from Hamburg, provided critical guidance on the guarantee agreement. Their extensive experience with similar capital solutions implemented in Europe proved invaluable in shaping a successful outcome.