Banking & Finance
Drew & Napier has undisputed strength in Banking & Finance. We act in this field through our Corporate Banking and Banking Litigation Practices.
Our clients include large corporations, banks, and other financial institutions, and government bodies. We are consistently cited and recommended by international research houses and publications for our versatility, efficiency, and the quality of our work.
Corporate Banking Practice
The Corporate Banking Practice is constantly sought after as Singapore counsel in major local as well as offshore financing transactions and projects.
The Corporate Banking Practice provides expert advice and representation across a wide range of financing and loan transactions. They include bilateral and syndicated loans, bond issues, acquisition financing and debt restructuring, and banking advisory and regulatory work.
We are also heavily involved in project financing and real estate/construction financing deals in Singapore and have acted in some of the largest local plant and integrated resort financing projects as well as large residential prime commercial and retail real estate financing.
Banking Litigation Practice
The Banking Litigation Practice has an enviable record of successful representation in most of Singapore’s major banking disputes.
We are at the forefront of the developing Banking & Finance law in Singapore, and we handle all areas of complex banking related disputes.
Matters we regularly deal with include fraud, regulatory investigations and related legal proceedings, loan and credit recovery, enforcement of securities, and advice on regulatory issues.
We also regularly advise and act for banks and financial institutions in responding to customer and financial product claims, and issues relating to foreign court orders and sanctions.
The practices are closely supported by Drew's other specialist practices, including Financial Services Regulation, Real Estate, and Tax.
Accolades
Chambers Asia Pacific and Global
Banking & Finance 2023 - Leading firm for 18 consecutive years
Pauline Chong - Band 4 lawyer for 2 consecutive years
"The team produces excellent work and is able to explain to those less knowledgable. Their knowledge is excellent and there is always someone to help, from very high level to more specific matters."
"The partners are attentive, smart, willing to go the extra mile."
One interviewee praises Drew & Napier's "very good quality of service, and ability to deliver and understand our needs."
Another source describes the team as "meticulous" in its approach.
"It's a formidable firm with a strong resource base," a client says, adding: "The lawyers are responsive, diligent and detailed." Another praises the lawyers, calling them "very professional, reliable and target-oriented."
Clients report that the firm is a "very well-established and recognised name in Singapore; they're responsive and clearly a leader in this industry."
"Their work and turnaround time were exceptional. They far exceeded our expectations compared to our dealings with other firms in the past."
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific
Banking & Finance 2023 – Leading firm for 12 consecutive years
Recommended Lawyers
Renu Menon
Pauline Chong
Benedict Teo
Lau Sok Hiang
Eleanor Pang
“In a firm of so many stars, one can sometimes overlook lawyers but Ben is one that should not be missed. He is extremely effective, and that is what you need in a litigator – someone who just gets results. He is also a good communicator, respectful in billing, and very bright.”
“Good technical knowledge and up-to-date with latest developments.”
“Pauline Chong – Responsive and able to understand client’s needs.”
“Benedict Teo has a good team of lawyers who provide commercially driven legal advice.”
“A leading corporate law firm; experienced with in-depth knowledge; highly professional in their dealings. The firm provides a full suite of services and is able to meet the diverse needs of their clients.”
“Pauline Chong is well experienced, efficient and knowledgeable. She provides sound advice in the context of complex situations. A highly responsive and responsible individual.”
“I worked with the Banking Litigation team. Good points: Knowledge, experience, client management, case handling and strategy, detailed and meticulous work.”
“The team is collaborative and well coordinated across different departments. Experienced, responsive and gives good advice”
“Committed, good technical knowledge, commercial and good communication skills.”
“The diversity of skills and knowledge of the legal eagles at Drew Napier is astounding and exudes confidence. They have the resources at hand to afford excellent service”
“Renu Menon has been most helpful and provides quick responses despite her punishing schedule. Advice is practical and wholesome.”
“Client engagement – understanding of customers’ needs and prompt replies.”
“Outstanding knowledge of the area of expertise.”
“Responsive and professional”
“Pauline Chong is professional, efficient, knowledgeable and helpful.”
“The team is highly professional in their dealings and advice. They are responsive and approachable in meeting timeline and providing solutions and alternatives to protect the interest of the bank.”
The firm is an “active force in acquisition finance, refinancings, project finance and receivables financing.”
The team is "excellent", "very professional" and "runs transactions seamlessly".
Drew & Napier LLC’s banking team is rated for its "very commercial" approach and the "accessibility" of lead partners.
Drew & Napier LLC demonstrates "particularly good industry and country knowledge".
Clients of Drew & Napier LLC have a "high level of confidence in the team", and note that the lawyers display "considerable business acumen".
“Pauline Chong is highly recommended.”
IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms
Banking & Finance 2023 – Leading firm for 11 consecutive years
"Professional. Takes care of most angles of the deal to protect the bank."
"The partners are very smart. They adopted a 360-degree approach to the issue and to finding solutions that are implementable."
"Prompt, solutions-oriented, pragmatic."
"Responsive, sound technical knowledge and has the ability to deliver good advice."
“Drew & Napier is one of the best law firms that I have the privilege to work with especially in relation to complicated financial transactions. Not only can they identify the key issues arising from the transactions, but [they] also provide the clients with innovative solutions to address those issues.”
“We have been using Drew & Napier as our main legal counsel for more than 10 years now and have always found the firm to be thoroughly professional and the staff members assigned to us knowledgeable both in the legal aspects as well as able to advise on the commercial impact and ramifications.”
Pauline Chong is commended for being “Diligent, knowledgeable and responsive.”
Renu Menon is “friendly and easy to work with,” she has “thorough knowledge and provides quick solutions.”
“She’s efficient, detailed and experienced in her field of work.”
asialaw Profile
Banking and Financial Services 2023 – Highly Recommended practice for 5 consecutive years
Banking & Finance 2023 – Recommended for 4 consecutive years
“Commercial and practical advice, prompt responses, and clarity of explanation.”
“The firm is professional in dealing with the bank’s lawyer and able to provide us with the legal advice.”
“Prompt, practical and responsive.”
“Fast, quick, number one in litigation, and they give prompt replies.”
“Experienced and efficient. Organised with a clear action plan.”
“Professional and meticulous.”
“The firm satisfactorily review and made various recommendations and amendments. The firm has done its requested works in an excellent and responsible manner.”
“Prompt, solutions-oriented, knowledgeable.”
“While being a top tier firm in Singapore, fees were extremely reasonable and accommodating to the fact that we were a non-revenue generating start-up. The partner in charge broke down the potential issues clearly, gave us the relevant advice and offered forward-thinking considerations for us to take note. The analysis was deep, yet easy to understand, thorough and commercially practical.”
“Legal counsel was thorough and provided us with the pros and cons of the case objectively.”
“Able to meet tight timeline and provide clear advice.”
“Professional and easy to work with.”
"A very capable overall banking and finance practice."
Asian Legal Business (ALB) SE Asia Law Awards
Asset and Corporate Finance Deal of the Year 2016 (Takeover of STATS ChipPAC Ltd by Jiangsu Changjiang Electronics Technology (JCET))
Southeast Asia Deal of the Year 2014 (Takeover of Fraser & Neave)
ALB Innovative List
Top 10 firm across Asia 2016 (Takeover of STATS ChipPAC Ltd by JCET)
The Asian Lawyer Emerging Markets Awards
Finance Deal of the Year: Banking 2016 (Takeover of STATS ChipPAC Ltd by JCET)
Singapore Business Review Business Ranking Awards
Deal of the Year 2015 (Takeover of STATS ChipPAC Ltd by JCET)
Asian-MENA Counsel ‘In House Community Firm of the Year’
Projects and Project Financing Singapore Firm of the Year 2014
The Straits Times - Singapore’s Best Law Firms 2022
Rated a perfect score of 5 stars for Banking & Finance in the Singapore’s Best Law Firms 2022 survey by Singapore’s largest circulating broadsheet, The Straits Times, and international research company, Statista; 4 stars in 2021.