FFA Event

4th Annual Asia-Pacific Fund Finance Symposium

Name: 4th Annual Asia-Pacific Fund Finance Symposium
Start: 2022-11-03T09:00:00Z
End: 2022-11-03T18:00:00Z
Location: Shangri-La Singapore

November 03, 2022

9:00 AM - 6:00 PM SGT

Singapore

Event Pictures

The Fund Finance Association’s annual symposiums bring together investors, fund managers, bankers and lawyers for education and networking within the fund finance market. FFA hosts annual events in Miami, London, and Asia. The 2020 Symposiums were attended by over 1,700 industry professionals representing over 500 firms.

Sammy Asoli

SMBC

Global Hot Topics in Fund Finance

2:05 PM | 2022-11-03

Sammy Asoli

General Manager & Managing Director | Global Head of Fund Finance Solutions | SMBC

Sammy Asoli joined SMBC in August of 2020 as Global Head of Fund Finance Solutions. Prior to SMBC Sammy served as the Global Co-Head of Sponsor Finance and Deputy Head of FIG, North America at Lloyds Banking Group. Before his time at Lloyds, Sammy held positions at J.P. Morgan, The Blackstone Group, and Goldman Sachs & Co where he built up his extensive background in various aspects of Private Equity. Sammy earned his Bachelor of Science from Manhattan College where he studied economics, and later when on to Columbia University to obtain a Master of Public Administration (MPA) of Economic Policy & Management.

Azcue, David (Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP)

David Azcue デビッド・アザキュー

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP はシンプソン・サッチャー・アンド・バートレッ

APAC’s 2022 Investment Fund Landscape

11:15 AM | 2022-11-03

David Azcue デビッド・アザキュー

Partner パートナー | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP はシンプソン・サッチャー・アンド・バートレッ

David Azcue is a Partner in Simpson Thacher’s Tokyo office, where he co-heads the Private Funds Practice in Japan. Fluent in Japanese and having spent over 35 years in Japan, David advises clients on all aspects of fundraising, investments, financing and operations across a broad range of asset classes and strategies. Working with domestic legal counsel and tax advisors, he has helped pioneer many of the structures used by Japan-focused private fund sponsors to permit non-Japanese investors to invest alongside Japanese investors in Japan-focused funds. Working with his Credit colleagues, he has also worked on the first subscription facilities for Japan-focused private funds open to international investors. He has worked on many of the market-defining fundraises and funds-related transactions over his almost two decades of practice in Japan.

David has been recognized as a leading private funds lawyer by authorities including Chambers Asia-Pacific, where he is ranked Band 1 in Investment Funds: Registered Foreign Lawyers; IFLR1000; Legal500 and Who’s Who Legal, and brings to his practice a deep understanding of Japan and broad experience in global fundraisings for private investment funds. Simpson Thacher’s Asia Investment Funds Practice is ranked Band 1 by Legal500 and has won numerous awards, including “Investment Funds Firm of the Year” at the 2017 and 2019 Asia Legal Awards and “Asia Fund Formation Firm of the Year 2018” by Private Equity International. The Firm’s Japan Investment Funds Practice won the 2019 Asian Legal Business Japan Awards and is ranked Band 1 in Investment Funds: International Firms and Joint Ventures by Legal500.

シンプソン・サッチャー・アンド・バートレット法律事務所のパートナーとして、⽇本におけるプライベート・ファンド部⾨の共同代表を務める。⽇本語に堪能で、⽇本で35 年間以上を過ごし、バイアウトを始め、不動産、ベンチャーキャピタル、プライベートデット等、幅広いアセット・クラスにわたり、ファンドレイジング、投資、運⽤、セカンダリー取引等、多種多彩な側⾯においてクライアントに対し助⾔を提供。国内法律事務所及び税務アドバイザーとも協働し、海外の投資家が国内投資家と共に⽇本向けのプライベート・ファンドに投資することを可能にした先駆的なストラクチャーの導⼊の多くに関して助⾔。また、シンプソン・サッチャーのクレジット部⾨の弁護⼠とも協⼒して、そのような海外投資家に投資機会を提供する⽇本向けファンドによるものとして本邦初となるサブスクリプション・ファシリティの導⼊にも従事。⽇本における約20 年間に及ぶプラクティスの中で、新たな市場を切り拓くような先進的なファンドレイジングやその他ファンド関連の取引に取り組んでいる。チェンバース・アジア・パシフィック(Chambers Asia-Pacific) の投資ファンド：外国法事務弁護⼠部⾨（Investment Funds: Registered Foreign Lawyers ）においてバンド1 にランクされた他、IFLR1000 やWho’s Who Legal 等においてもプライベート・ファンド分野における第⼀⼈者として認められており、リードするシンプソン・サッチャーの⽇本のプライベート・ファンド部⾨は、⽇本に関する深い理解とプライベート投資ファンドのためのグローバルなファンドレイジングに関する幅広い経験を活かしたアドバイスを提供すると評価されている。シンプソン・サッチャーのアジアのプライベート・ファンド部⾨は、Legal500 によってバンド1 にランクされており、2017 年と2019 年のAsia Legal Awards での“Investment Funds Firm of the Year”やプライベート・エクイティ・インターナショナルによる“Asia Fund Formation Firm of the Year 2018”など、数多くの賞を受賞しています。シンプソン・サッチャーの⽇本プライベート・ファンド部は、2019 年Asian Legal Business (ALB) Japan Awards を受賞し、Legal500 の“Investment Funds: International Firms and Joint Ventures”でバンド1 にランクされている。

Somdatta Basu

ING

Beyond the Sub-Line

3:55 PM | 2022-11-03

Somdatta Basu

Director, Fund Finance APAC, Financial Institutions | ING

Somdatta is a Director within ING’s APAC Fund Finance team with teams located in NYC, London, Luxembourg and Singapore. The team is part of the ING’s Financial Institutions Group and is responsible for the origination, execution and portfolio management of subscription facilities to funds managed by Financial Sponsors and Alternative Asset Managers across the APAC region.

Somdatta has been with ING for over six years and was previously part of ING’s TMT & Healthcare sector team, offering leveraged buyout, acquisition finance, project finance and corporate lending solutions. Prior to joining ING, Somdatta worked with Siemens Financial Services in their Corporate Lending team across India, US and Singapore. She has fifteen years of experience across Fund Finance, Corporate Lending, Leveraged and Structured Finance covering mid-sized corporate clients and sponsors across Asia and Australia.

Michelle Bolingbroke

Fund Finance Association

Closing Remarks

5:15 PM | 2022-11-03

Michelle Bolingbroke

Chief Marketing Officer | Fund Finance Association

Michelle Bolingbroke, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) and Head of Marketing and Business Strategy, brings over 18 years of experience in marketing and business development within the financial services industry. Michelle has played a crucial role in shaping the association initially as a volunteer on the marketing committee since our inception. In her elevated role, as a key member of the executive team, Michelle collaborates with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) to drive the organization's strategic goals. As CMO, she oversees external communications, establishes strategic partnerships, and promotes the association's brand globally. Michelle continues to be a driving force behind the Fund Finance Association's growth and success.

John Bona

Milbank

Global Hot Topics in Fund Finance

2:05 PM | 2022-11-03

John Bona

Partner | Milbank

John Bona is a partner in Milbank’s Global Leveraged Finance Group based in Hong Kong. He has 20 years of experience advising international banks, funds and private equity sponsors on complex, high profile finance transactions in Asia and Europe. John’s practice is primarily focused on advising credit providers and borrowers on sponsor-backed, private and public, leveraged, acquisition and structured finance transactions, including bridge-to-bond, debt/bond hybrid, super-senior revolving credit facilities and mezzanine and holdco financings. John also has experience in real estate finance. He has advised credit providers of fund finance facilities and sponsors in Europe and Asia, including cutting-edge net asset value (NAV) facilities and hybrid products.

Andrew Brereton

King & Spalding

Beyond the Sub-Line

3:55 PM | 2022-11-03

Andrew Brereton

Managing Partner | King & Spalding

Andrew Brereton is the Managing Partner of the King & Spalding Singapore office and specialises in debt financing in both the banking and private credit markets throughout Asia. Andrew has been based in the region for over 20 years and has extensive experience of fund financing, acquisition finance, structured lending, project finance and trade finance. He also has extensive experience of restructurings, workouts and special situations.

Andrew is recognized by the main legal directories as one of the leading lawyers in the region, and is ranked Band 1 for both Banking & Finance and Restructuring & Insolvency by Chambers. He was named 'Banking Lawyer of the Year' in Singapore two years in a row by Best Lawyers, and included in the Legal 500 'Hall of Fame' as one of only two international banking lawyers in Singapore.

Natalie Carter

Walkers

The Art of Negotiation

2:45 PM | 2022-11-03

Natalie Carter

Senior Associate | Walkers

Natalie Carter is a senior associate in the Finance and Corporate Group at Walkers Singapore. Natalie has a general debt finance background with particular experience in secured and unsecured commercial lending and funds financing. She regularly acts for financial institutions, private equity sponsors, investors and corporates, and advises in relation to the laws of the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and Bermuda. Natalie has experience working on fund financing matters in Asia for regional and global lender and sponsor clients, and has been involved in some of the largest and most innovative fund financing transactions in the region.

Natalie joined the Walkers Hong Kong office in 2017 and relocated to the Singapore office in 2022. Prior to joining Walkers Natalie trained and worked at SJ Berwin / King and Wood Mallesons in their London and Hong Kong offices.

Christophe Cerisier

BNP Paribas

Beyond the Sub-Line

3:55 PM | 2022-11-03

Christophe Cerisier

Managing Director – Co-Head of Loans & Specialized Finance Asia-Pacific | BNP Paribas

Based in Hong Kong, Christophe is Managing Director, Co-Head of Loans & Specialized Finance Asia-Pacific.

Christophe has over 25 years of experience in financing in Asia Pacific across multiple business lines including leveraged finance, fund financing, corporate acquisitions, corporate loans, syndications, debt advisory, fixed assets financing, asset based lending, project finance, leasing, supply chain finance.

Christophe joined BNP in 2014 and is currently Co-Head of Loans & Specialized Finance APAC, overseeing most financings for BNP in APAC, serving private equity, corporates and promoters across situations, industries and the capital structure. This includes leveraged finance in control or minority and hybrid situations and various fund-level financing solutions including subscription lines and NAV financings.

Before joining BNP, Christophe spent 8 years with GE Capital and 11 years with CACIB in Singapore and Hong Kong, in project and infrastructure finance and as head of their leveraged finance practices in Asia.

Calvin Cheng

EvolutionX

APAC’s 2022 Investment Fund Landscape

11:15 AM | 2022-11-03

Calvin Cheng

Partner and Co-Head | EvolutionX

Calvin is the Partner and Co-Head at EvolutionX with 25 years of experience in venture growth debt, venture capital, investment banking, and corporate banking in the United States and China. At EvolutionX, he leads investments in Greater China, and is also a member of the investment committee. He joined EvolutionX from East West Bank (China) where he was Managing Director and Head of Technology and Growth Banking Group, financing Private Equity/Venture Capital-backed companies in the Greater China region. He also provided loans to PE/VC funds & GPs.

Prior to that, Calvin worked at East West Bank (Silicon Valley), Comerica Bank, Citibank, and Silicon Valley Bank where he focused on providing venture growth and leverage buyout financing to technology, healthcare & life science, and Internet/Social Media companies in Silicon Valley and other markets in the US. He also worked on capital raising, Mergers & Acquisitions advisory, and venture capital investments during his career. Calvin holds an MBA from Pittsburgh State University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Material Science and Engineering from Fung Chia University.

Cheung, Elaine J. (Nurasa, Temasek’s Asia Sustainable Foods Platform)

Elaine J. Cheung

Dole Sunshine Company

Keynote

9:40 AM | 2022-11-03

Elaine J. Cheung

CFO and Board Director | Dole Sunshine Company

Elaine J Cheung is a purpose-driven CFO and Board Director, helping companies fulfil their commitments to environmental and social sustainability through profitable strategies. Her corporate experience across multiple industries along with board roles at the UN and WWF give her deep insights into moving beyond shareholder to stakeholder capitalism.

She is the CFO at Temasek’s Asia Sustainable Foods, providing solutions and support to aspiring food-tech companies at every stage of their growth cycle; a purpose-led mission using catalytic capital to address Asia’s food challenge.

Elaine is the Treasurer and Board Trustee at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the governing body for the entire WWF network operating in more than 100 countries. She is an independent non-executive director and Audit Committee Chair for Novotech Health, a clinical research organization majority-owned by TPG Capital Asia fund.

At the UN World Food Programme, 2020 Nobel Peace Laureate, Elaine advised the Executive Board and was a member of the Independent Oversight Committee. Her other past board experiences included INED and the Audit Committee Chair for Pacific Legend Group, the holding company of Indigo Living, a furniture & lifestyle retailer listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange; Asian Development Bank Nominated Director at Mountain Hazelnut Group in Bhutan, a triple bottom line company; Board of Governors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and NED for Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Corporation. She served as member of the Advisory Board for The Good Food Institute APAC to accelerate alternative protein innovation and Nineby9 to drive gender equality across Asia.

She holds the Financial Times Non-Executive Director diploma and is a member of 30% Club Women to Watch and Global Board Ready Women.

Elaine strongly believes in harnessing individual actions as a catalyst for global change and the world must not only aim for net zero but also nature positive.

Alvin Chia

WongPartnership LLP

Global Hot Topics in Fund Finance

2:05 PM | 2022-11-03

Alvin Chia

Partner | WongPartnership LLP

Alvin Chia is a Partner in the Banking & Finance Practice at WongPartnership LLP.

His main practice areas are project finance, property development loans, subscription financing, trade financing, debt restructuring, private banking transactions, standard forms for consumer credit transactions and sales and participations of credit receivables.

Alvin graduated from the National University of Singapore. He is admitted to the Singapore Bar and to the Roll of Solicitors of England & Wales.

Alvin has been recognised as a leading Banking lawyer by Who's Who Legal: Banking since 2016 and IFLR1000 – The Guide to the World's Leading Financial Law Firms since 2010. He has also been consistently recommended as a leading lawyer for Banking and Finance work by The Legal 500: Asia Pacific – The Client's Guide to the Asia Pacific Legal Profession since 2008; Chambers Global – The World's Leading Lawyers for Business since 2009; Chambers Asia-Pacific – Asia-Pacific's Leading Lawyers for Business since 2009; and Best Lawyers since 2009. Alvin has also been listed as a leading practitioner in Asialaw Leading Lawyers – The Guide to Asia-Pacific's Leading Lawyers.

Dean Collins

Dechert LLP

APAC’s 2022 Investment Fund Landscape

11:15 AM | 2022-11-03

Dean Collins

Managing Partner | Dechert LLP

Dean Collins, the Managing Partner of Dechert's Singapore office, is recognized as one of the foremost private equity lawyers in Asia and worldwide, having been ranked in Band 1 for Fund Formation for the past thirteen years by Chambers Asia and being named in the most recent "The Legal Power 30," Private Equity International's list of the thirty most influential private equity lawyers in the world. He is the only lawyer based in Southeast Asia and one of only two fund formation experts in Asia named to the list. Mr. Collins counsels clients on the structuring and establishment of private equity investment funds, secondary transactions, carried interest and co-investment plans, team spin-outs, co-investments and other private equity related transactions. Mr. Collins also acts on the establishment of other types of alternative investment funds as well as providing advice to major institutional investors on their investments into funds both in Asia and elsewhere. Mr. Collins has led some of the highest-profile and ground-breaking transactions in the market including advising an Asian financial institution on the disposal of a ‘mega-portfolio’ of 95 Limited Partnership interests to a secondaries fund, in the largest ever secondaries transaction globally, Primavera Capital on the establishment of several private equity funds, including their third fund which raised US$3.4bn and was at that time the second ever largest China-focused private equity fund, Dymon Asia on the recent establishment of their third private equity fund which achieved its hard cap of US$650m and Genesis Alternatives on the establishment of Southeast Asia’s first ever venture debt fund. Prior to joining Dechert, Mr. Collins worked at Actis, the leading pan-emerging markets private equity firm, as an in-house lawyer and then as a Director in its highly regarded fundraising team.

Tommy Constantinou

Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Ltd.

The Art of Negotiation

2:45 PM | 2022-11-03

Tommy Constantinou

Co-Head of Fund Finance | Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Ltd.

Tommy Constantinou is Co-Head of Fund Finance at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Ltd. (SuMi TRUST) within the New York Branch Fund Finance Department. Tommy has led the expansion of the Fund Finance business within SuMi TRUST and is responsible for originating and executing fund finance related credit facilities. Tommy has extensive knowledge in various asset classes including Collateralized Loan Obligations, Subscription Finance, Middle Market Senior Leverage Facilities and Private ABS. Given SuMi TRUST’s unique position as investor, lender and asset manager within alternative investment universe, Mr. Constantinou acts as liaison between Asia and North America by leveraging relationships and knowledge within the SuMi TRUST global network. Prior to joining SuMi TRUST in 2011, Tommy was with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (formerly Citi Smith Barney) for four years within the Private Wealth Management Division. Mr. Constantinou is a graduate of Iona College and received his MBA from the Binghamton University School of Management.

Alexandre Deschâtres

Standard Chartered Bank

Show Me the Money!

11:55 AM | 2022-11-03

Alexandre Deschâtres

Regional Head of Sponsors Coverage, Asia | Standard Chartered Bank

Based in Hong Kong, Alexandre Deschâtres acts as Regional Head of Sponsors Coverage for Asia and heads a team of Senior Bankers across India, Greater China North Asia and South East Asia. Alexandre is a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience in Coverage & Capital markets.

Prior to joining Standard Chartered in March 2016, Alexandre was heading the Financial Institutions Group and Debt Capital Markets for BBVA in Paris. From 2007 to 2011, Alexandre worked at Dexia, where he was Deputy Head of Long-Term Funding.

Alexandre started his career in 2000 at Crédit Lyonnais Americas in New York, as credit analyst for large US Corporates. Back in France in 2003, Alexandre was appointed Relationship Manager for Oil & Gas International Corporates and then joined the Real Estate division and actively contributed to the set-up of the CMBS platform at CACIB, covering Real Estate Funds and CMBS loans origination. He holds a degree in Finance from Edhec Business School.

Lishi Fong

Harney Westwood & Riegels Singapore LLP

APAC’s 2022 Investment Fund Landscape

11:15 AM | 2022-11-03

Lishi Fong

Managing Partner | Harney Westwood & Riegels Singapore LLP

Lishi is the managing partner of our Singapore office and the head of our Transactional team in Singapore. She advises both financial institutions and corporations on a wide range of cross border transactions including leveraged finance, fund finance, margin lending, acquisition finance, pre-IPO finance, take-private transactions, note issuances, property finance and syndicated lending. In addition, Lishi also works with fund and asset managers, banks, fund administrators, family offices and investors on offshore fund formation matters.

In recent years, Lishi has been actively involved in the digital asset space and has launched numerous open and close ended crypto funds in the BVI and the Cayman Islands that invest in Web 3.0, cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology and other virtual assets. She also advises investors and founders in connection to the formation of virtual asset platforms and exchanges and the investments into SAFEs, SAFTs and other digital assets.

Before joining us, Lishi was with an international law firm for over a decade and is a specialist in international banking with a wide range of experience in cross border syndicated bank financing with particular emphasis on acquisition finance and structured trade and commodities finance. She was one of the leading lawyers in the Banking and Finance team that won “Trade Finance Law Firm of the Year” for several consecutive years.

Lishi is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Eva Fung

East West Bank

Show Me the Money!

11:55 AM | 2022-11-03

Eva Fung

Head of Private Equity | East West Bank

Eva Fung is Head of the Private Equity Group at East West Bank’s Hong Kong Branch, overseeing the fund financing business in Asia. The Group provides capital call facilities, GP financing, management company lines and other bespoke financing solutions to meet the needs of our clients. Clients include buyout fund, credit fund, fund of funds, real estate fund, and venture capital fund.

Ms. Fung has over 20 years of experience in originating, structuring, syndicating and executing debt transactions across all levels of the capital structure, particularly for events of cross border corporate acquisitions and private equity buyout situations in Asia Pacific. Prior to joining East West Bank, she was Head of Acquisition Finance at Natixis, Asia Pacific.

She holds a Master of Business Administration from Warwick University.

Alex Griffiths

MUFG Investor Services

APAC’s 2022 Investment Fund Landscape

11:15 AM | 2022-11-03

Alex Griffiths

Managing Director, Fund Finance | MUFG Investor Services

Alex Griffiths is Managing Director for Fund Finance at MUFG Investor Services. Based in London, Alex and his team oversee the firm’s fund finance offering in Europe as part of the global business — focusing primarily on subscription and NAV finance—and are responsible for originating, structuring, and executing transactions, as well as managing client relationships throughout deal life cycles. Alex has more than 15 years of industry experience. Prior to joining MUFG Investor Services, he served as a senior finance lawyer with several leading international law firms, specialising in fund finance, and also covering leveraged finance and restructuring/special situations.

Tom Highnam

Allens

The Art of Negotiation

2:45 PM | 2022-11-03

Tom Highnam

Partner | Allens

Tom Highnam is a Partner in the Banking and Finance department at Allens. He is recognised as having a leading position in the Australian subscription finance market. He acts for all of the leading banks operating in the market including NAB, CBA, ANZ, Westpac, Macquarie, MUFG, UOB and Standard Chartered. He also acts for key sponsors in the Australian market, including Aware Super, IFM, ESR and PEP. He is active across the range of fund finance facilities, including subscription finance, hybrids, NAV facilities, single investor and SMA transactions, GP facilities and Trustee facilities. In 2022 he has acted on over 25 facilities with an aggregate value in excess of A$8bn.

He graduated from Cambridge University in 1996. He is recognised in Chambers Asia Pacific 2015-2022 as a notable practitioner in corporate finance and acquisition finance, and by Best Lawyers 2022 in Banking and Finance Law and Derivatives.

Todd Hooper

HPS Investment Partners

Andrew Hutchins

Clifford Chance

The Art of Negotiation

2:45 PM | 2022-11-03

Andrew Hutchins

Partner | Clifford Chance

Andrew Hutchins is a Partner at Clifford Chance, one of the world's leading international law firms. He works with fund borrowers, fund investors and a wide range of types of financial institutions on fund financing matters.

He advises across all types of facilities including capital call/borrowing base facilities, omnibus/umbrella facilities, facilities to fund managers, warehousing facilities, NAV facilities with recourse to fund assets, equity bridges and LP financings.

Andrew has worked in London (13 years), Hong Kong (10 years) and Singapore (since May 2016).

"Andy has deep knowledge and technical expertise. He understands commercial considerations and is able to adapt and address his client's considerations well. "

Chambers Asia Pacific 2024, Banking & Finance: International client

Tom Kirby

Bank of China

Show Me the Money!

11:55 AM | 2022-11-03

Tom Kirby

Managing Director | Head of Fund Finance | Bank of China

Tom joined Bank of China in Sydney in February 2020 and is a Managing Director heading up their fund finance business.

With more than 20 years’ banking experience with HSBC, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Bank of China, Tom’s background includes delivery of subscription and asset-based financing, transactional banking, risk management and global markets products to many of the world largest fund managers.

Tom has built a market-wide reputation for his strengths in relationship management and deal execution with the world’s largest financial Institutions.

Angela Lai

Preqin

Preqin Update

10:25 AM | 2022-11-03

Angela Lai

Head of APAC and Valuations, Research Insights | Preqin

Angela is Head of APAC and Valuations, Research Insights in Preqin’s Research Insights team and covers the private investments industry in the Asia-Pacific region. She has over 15 years' experience in investment analysis and risk management across asset classes in public and private markets, specializing in the valuation of private equity and private debt assets including distressed and special situations.

Prior to joining Preqin, Angela worked for Deutsche Bank as valuation lead for alternative investments in the APAC region. Before that she was a credit analyst at OCBC Singapore and an equity analyst at Macquarie Capital Japan. Angela holds an MBA from the University of Cambridge as well as a BSSc from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She is also a CFA charterholder.

Benjamin Masson

Natixis CIB

Beyond the Sub-Line

3:55 PM | 2022-11-03

Benjamin Masson

Co-Head of Securitized Product Group and Alternative Credit Group, Asia Pacific | Natixis CIB

Benjamin Masson was appointed as Co-Head of Securitized Product Group (SPG) and Alternative Credit Group (ACG) for the Asia Pacific region in November 2024. He jointly leads the development of Natixis CIB’s SPG and ACG franchises across the region.

Previously, Benjamin joined the Global Structured Credit & Solutions (GSCS) Asia Pacific team in September 2017, contributing to the expansion of Natixis CIB’s structured credit franchise in the region, including fund financing.

With close to 20 years of experience in asset and structured finance, Benjamin began his career in New York in 2005 as a structurer of project finance transactions (bond and loan), initially with CACIB and later with Natixis from 2008.

In the summer of 2011, he transitioned to Paris and joined the newly formed GSCS team, focusing primarily on structuring capital call facilities for infrastructure PE funds while also gaining exposure to asset-backed securitization. In 2013, Benjamin moved to the syndicate team in Paris, where he worked on project, infrastructure, and export financings for the EMEA region.

Benjamin is a graduate of EPF, a French engineering school, and Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal in Canada. He also holds a Master’s degree from Paris Dauphine University.

Lily Miao

Mourant

Global Hot Topics in Fund Finance

2:05 PM | 2022-11-03

Lily Miao

Counsel | Mourant

Lily is a Counsel in Mourant Ozannes (Hong Kong) LLP's Banking and Finance team.

She advises on a broad spectrum of transactions, from leveraged and acquisition finance to real estate finance and general corporate lending, with a particularly strong focus on fund finance. Her clients include major international and PRC banks and financial institutions, listed and private corporations and investment funds.

Before joining Mourant, Lily worked at Clifford Chance in Hong Kong, London, and Singapore.

Nick Mitra

Société Générale

Welcome Remarks

9:30 AM | 2022-11-03

Nick Mitra

Managing Director | Société Générale

Nick Mitra is a Managing Director in the Credit & Structured Financing platform at Société Générale. He is part of the team responsible for Capital Call, Hybrid, NAV facilities and PE Secondaries financings. Prior to joining Société Générale, Nick worked at Natixis where he headed the Capital Call financing business, He has also worked at Goldman Sachs and Accenture in different roles and was the CFO of an entrepreneurial start-up – UConnections.com – aimed at the education space. Nick started his career at Lehman Brothers as a trader’s assistant in the security lending/repo area. Nick has approximately 18 years of experience in the financial sector. Nick is also a co-founding member of the Fund Finance Association, an industry group dedicated to Fund Finance and related products, where he sits on the Board of the Association.

Nick holds an MBA in Finance from NYU and a BS in Finance from Lehigh University, and is a CFA charter holder. He is also the First Vice Chairman of the Fund Finance Association.

Soumitro Mukerji

DLA Piper

Show Me the Money!

11:55 AM | 2022-11-03

Soumitro Mukerji

Partner | DLA Piper

Soumitro is a multi-specialist banking and finance Partner with extensive experience in the Asian and European financial markets. In his professional career spanning nearly two decades, he has advised financial institutions, funds, corporates and financial advisors across the credit and geographic spectrum. His practice covers sponsor-backed financings, fund financings, structured lending, limited recourse financings and corporate lending.

Soumitro has significant expertise in fund finance transactions and has counselled financiers and fund managers on a wide range of fund financing transactions across all asset classes, including subscription line financings, umbrella facilities, NAVs, hybrids, GP facilities and other forms of liquidity solutions. Since 2019, he has advised on fund finance matters exceeding USD8bn in value.

Terrance Philips

Crystal Reece

TPG

Private Capital Perspectives

4:35 PM | 2022-11-03

Crystal Reece

Senior Director in Treasury Capital Markets | TPG

Ms. Reece is a Senior Director in Treasury Capital Markets at TPG, where she is responsible for financing activities for its funds. Prior to joining TPG in 2018, Crystal was a Vice President at Wells Fargo where she served in a variety of roles over her twelve-year tenure, including institutional asset management, corporate banking and subscription finance. Ms. Reece earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and her MBA from Queens University of Charlotte.

Danielle Roman

Mourant

Welcome Remarks

9:30 AM | 2022-11-03

Danielle Roman

Partner | Mourant

Danielle is a Partner in Mourant’s Banking and Finance team in Hong Kong, having practiced in Asia for over 15 years. She advises on a broad spectrum of cross-border transactions, including asset finance (with particular expertise in aviation and shipping finance), fund financing, acquisition and leveraged finance, debt restructurings, project finance, FinTech and general corporate lending.

In fund financing, she regularly represents investment and commercial banks on subscription credit facilities. She is also Co-Head of the Asia-Pacific Executive Committee for the Fund Finance Association, and is on the board of directors of Women in Fund Finance Asia. Danielle has been recognised for her work in fund finance through awards such as the Dee Dee Sklar Women in Fund Finance Award 2020.

Prior to joining Mourant in 2012, she worked at Clifford Chance in Hong Kong and Dentons in London.

Eric Schwitzer

Paul Hastings

The Art of Negotiation

2:45 PM | 2022-11-03

Eric Schwitzer

Partner, Real Estate Department | Paul Hastings

Eric Schwitzer is a partner in the Real Estate practice of Paul Hastings and is based in the firm’s New York office. He practices in all areas of commercial real estate transactions, with a primary focus on real estate and real estate related corporate finance. Mr. Schwitzer represents major financial institutions, developers, and private equity funds in connection with complex domestic and international commercial matters, including cross-border investment platforms, corporate credit facilities, capital commitment-backed subscription credit facilities, commercial loans, restructurings, bankruptcy, loan sales, loan workouts, acquisitions, and dispositions.

Mr. Schwitzer received his J.D. degree from Hofstra University, School of Law in 2008, where he served as the Senior Associate Editor of the Hofstra Law Review. Mr. Schwitzer earned his B.A. in political science from Boston University in 2005.

Albert Tan

Haynes Boone

Global Hot Topics in Fund Finance

2:05 PM | 2022-11-03

Albert Tan

Partner and Co-Head of Fund Finance | Haynes Boone

Albert Tan is a Partner and Co-Head of the Global Fund Finance Group with Haynes and Boone, LLP. Albert also currently on Haynes Boone’s Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Partners Compensation Committee.

Albert has represented investment and commercial banks, as agents and arrangers in more than 600 subscription secured credit facilities with total value of over $200 billion to Asia, US, Europe, Latin America and global real estate, infrastructure, debt, buyout and energy private equity funds, including structuring and documenting some of the first subscription financing to real estate private equity funds in Japan, Greater China, Singapore and Korea and to some of the largest global infrastructure funds and Asia-focused buyout funds; and during the global financial crises of 2007-2008, Albert was one of few fund finance attorneys who represented lenders in the successful enforcement of subscription financing defaults against PE funds and their investors.

The National Law Journal selected Albert to its inaugural list of Finance, Banking and Capital Markets Trailblazers in 2019, Euromoney Expert Guides, Euromoney Institutional Investor 2012, listed him as a “Leading Practitioner” in its Guide to Leading Practitioners: International Private Equity, U.S., and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association recognized Albert as a 2021 MCCA Rainmaker for his outstanding leadership, business acumen, passion and dedication to proactive client development.

Albert serves as a member of the US Advisory Committee and Asia Pacific Executive Committee of the Fund Finance Association.

Albert received his BA from San Diego State University and his JD and LLM from Southern Methodist University and Georgetown University; and speaks Chinese (Mandarin).

Niamh Targett

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ)

Show Me the Money!

11:55 AM | 2022-11-03

Niamh Targett

Director | Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ)

Niamh Targett is a Director at Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd (ANZ) based in Hong Kong, where she heads the Institutional Funds Coverage team for Asia. Niamh and her team cover private capital firms providing subscription facilities and real estate financing, hedging support and cash management solutions, as well as acting as the primary co-ordination point for such funds ‘engagement with structured and leverage finance teams across the bank.

Niamh has over 20 years of banking experience, having worked in London and Hong Kong, covering financial institutions, with a particular focus in the Funds segments across markets and financing products.

Niamh holds a Bachelor’s degree in commerce, and has her CFA Level 2.

Andrea Thomas

Debevoise

Beyond the Sub-Line

3:55 PM | 2022-11-03

Andrea Thomas

Associate | Debevoise

Andrea Thomas is an English-qualified associate based in the London office of Debevoise & Plimpton, where she is a member of the firm’s Finance Group.

Ms. Thomas advises an international client base of borrowers, sponsors, funds and financial institutions on the full spectrum of fund-level financing transactions, with extensive experience in subscription credit facilities, NAV facilities, hybrid facilities, single investor facilities, secondary funds facilities, and co-investment facilities across various fund and asset classes (including private equity funds, credit funds, infrastructure funds, secondary funds, real estate funds and emerging market funds).

Ms. Thomas was admitted as a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales in 2011. She received an LL.B. from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth with honors in 2007 and subsequently completed the LPC at the College of Law (Bloomsbury) in 2008. She received a B.A. from the University of Calgary in 2003.

James Webb

Carey Olsen

Beyond the Sub-Line

3:55 PM | 2022-11-03

James Webb

Partner | Carey Olsen

James is a partner in Carey Olsen’s Corporate and Finance groups, based in Hong Kong. James specialises in Cayman Islands, Bermuda and British Virgin Islands (BVI) law and advises on a broad range of debt transactions, including acquisition and leveraged finance, fund finance real estate finance, margin loans, structured finance, bond issuances, distressed debt, security enforcements, work-outs and debt restructurings. In addition, he acts on corporate transactions, including on all downstream private equity deals, investments, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, shareholder arrangements and corporate restructurings.

James has previously lived and worked in both the Cayman Islands and BVI. Before moving offshore in January 2012, James started his legal career with Allen & Overy, and spent nearly a decade working in its London and Singapore offices.

Patrick Wong

A&O Shearman

The Art of Negotiation

2:45 PM | 2022-11-03

Patrick Wong

Partner | A&O Shearman

Patrick is a partner based in Allen & Overy’s Hong Kong office. He has experience in a wide range of banking and finance transactions, including fund financings, bilateral and syndicated corporate lending, acquisition financings, equity margin financings, pre-IPO investments and other event-driven financings. Patrick regularly represents banks and non-bank financial institutions in structured cross-border financings in the Asia-Pacific region with a particular focus in Mainland China and Hong Kong. From 2010 to 2014, Patrick was legal counsel at Deutsche Bank partnering with the business to manage risks and produce tangible solutions on a range of debt products offered by the Structured Finance team.

Jean Woo

Ashurst

Global Hot Topics in Fund Finance

2:05 PM | 2022-11-03

Jean Woo

Office Managing Partner, Singapore | Ashurst

Jean is managing partner of our Singapore office and a partner in the global loans practice in the Ashurst Singapore office. She specialises in international banking and finance transactions, and has over 15 years of experience in the structured lending space in particular funds financing.

Jean has acted for banks, private funds and sponsors and has a broad exposure to a number of jurisdictions in Asia with a particular focus on jurisdictions in South and Southeast Asia.

Jean is a member of the Advisory Council to the Fund Finance Association (FFA) in the APAC region and is also a committee member of Women in Fund Finance. She also contributes to the Singapore chapter in the Global Legal Insights (GLI) publication on Fund Finance.

Frank Wu

DBS Bank

Show Me the Money!

11:55 AM | 2022-11-03

Frank Wu

Executive Director & Head of Private Markets Funds | DBS Bank

Frank Wu is an Executive Director & Head of the Private Markets Funds segment of DBS Bank. In this role. Frank is responsible for leading the development of relationships with Private Markets Funds at the fund level including PE, VC, Private Credit, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Fund of Funds across the global franchise.

As a founding member of the team, he is instrumental in building up DBS’ fund finance business and has partnered with GPs and investors to provide bespoke fund finance solutions throughout the fund lifecycle. He joined DBS as a Management Associate in 2011 and had previous roles in finance, internal audit and financial institutions group of DBS in Asia. He also served as a Council Member for the Graduate Associate Program of DBS Institutional Banking Group.

Frank is an active member of the fund finance community and serves as a member of the APAC Executive Committee of the Fund Finance Association, where he supports the investment funds market within the APAC.

He holds an MBA from Chicago Booth School of Business and BSc (Hons) in Statistics from National University of Singapore.

Wei Xin

KKR

Private Capital Perspectives

4:35 PM | 2022-11-03

Wei Xin

Director, KKR Capital Markets | KKR

Wei Xin (Hong Kong) joined KKR Capital Markets in 2014 and has led a broad spectrum of debt and equity financings for KKR portfolio companies in the Asia Pacific region. Since joining KKR Capital Markets, Mr. Xin has worked on a variety of financings for companies including Asia Dairy, Calsonic Kansei, Eurokids, GenesisCare, Gland Pharma, Haier, Hitachi Koki, PHC Holdings (formerly Panasonic Healthcare), Pioneer DJ, Hitachi Kokusai Electric and ADNOC Oil Pipelines, among others. Prior to joining KKR, Mr. Xin was with J.P. Morgan Securities Asia Pacific (Hong Kong), where he was responsible for illiquid credit trading and private financing in the Asia Pacific region. He was previously on the principal investment team of Daiwa Securities Group. He holds a B.A. from Waseda University in Japan and is a CFA Charterholder.

Roger Zhang

Blackstone

Private Capital Perspectives

4:35 PM | 2022-11-03

Roger Zhang

Managing Director | Blackstone

Roger Zhang is a Managing Director in Blackstone Credit, involved in origination and execution of credit investments across capital structure in Asia.

Before joining Blackstone, Mr. Zhang was the Head of Private Debt Asia at Partners Group, responsible for senior and mezzanine debt investments in private equity sponsor-backed companies across Asia-Pacific. Prior to Partners Group, Mr. Zhang worked for Goldman Sachs, Ashland Partners and Enrst & Young.

Mr. Zhang holds a MBA from New York University Stern School of Business and is a CFA charter Holder.

Platinum Sponsors

Ashurst

We are pioneers in Fund Finance. As one of the first law firms to advise in this market, we have helped shape its growth and development into the multiple finance products available today. Collectively, our industry-leading partners have over 80 years of experience in structuring and acting for lenders and borrowers on all types of fund financings, including capital call, NAV, preferred equity, SMAs, family offices, co-investments and GP & management facilities. Our unrivalled breadth of experience, commitment to the market and track record of delivering exceptional standards of service means we are a trusted adviser to all the major lenders, GPs, managers and sponsors.

We know funds. Working with our award-winning fund formation, fund tax and fund regulatory practices, we are able to advise and guide the most demanding clients on all aspects relating to funds.

We find solutions that work across borders. As one of the world's leading global law firms, our story is one of change and progress. Since 1822, our ambition has always been to lead the field, to be ahead of our time, and to inspire change. Through our 200-year history, taking a progressive stance on the issues of our time has been a constant thread, every step of the way. And this thread continues to run through our global law firm. We have 31 offices in 18 countries and offer the reach and insight of a global network, combined with the knowledge and understanding of local markets. With over 450 partners and a further 1,800 lawyers working across 11 different time zones, we are able to respond to clients wherever and whenever required. Our network of fund and fund finance experts are one global team that seamlessly and efficiently find solutions and manages the largest and most complicated cross-border transactions.

Ashurst – ranked Band 1, Legal 500 Fund Finance 2024

Carey Olsen

Carey Olsen is a leading offshore law firm. Our fund finance specialists have extensive experience of advising on all types of lending to investment funds in Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guernsey and Jersey.

Our lawyers regularly deal with subscription facilities, GP leverage, co-invest facilities as well as hybrid and NAV based arrangements, with loan sizes ranging from tens of millions to billions of dollars. We work alongside all of the major onshore law firms, accountancy firms and insolvency practitioners on corporate transactions and matters involving our jurisdictions.

Our advice is delivered by an approachable and experienced team of globally-minded lawyers who work in partnership with our clients to help them achieve their objectives. We have the expertise and resources to handle the most complex international transactions combined with a personal approach to business.

DBS Bank Ltd

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia“ award by Global Finance for 15 consecutive years from 2009 to 2023.

DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.

DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by supporting businesses for impact: enterprises with a double bottom-line of profit and social and/or environmental impact. DBS Foundation also gives back to society in various ways, including equipping underserved communities with future-ready skills and helping them to build food resilience.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.

Haynes and Boone

Haynes Boone is a leading U.S. corporate law firm whose attorneys were instrumental in developing the structure and documentation for subscription financing in the early 1990s. With over 30 years of industry experience in the global subscription financing market, our Fund Finance Practice has worked through numerous business cycles, taking a multi‐disciplinary approach to working with clients and their customers on each transaction, preserving the lender‐borrower relationship by conducting all negotiations with an understanding of the fund’s business issues, while preserving each fund’s relationship with its investors. Our work in the global subscription financing market has been recognized by The Drawdown as Fund Finance Advisory Firm of Year and by Private Equity International’s Global Annual Awards as one of the top law firms in the “Transactions” category for both Asia and North America. Our global team’s focus is a collaborative team approach with an emphasis on partner‐led deals. Our fund finance team of over 70 attorneys and specialists advises on all types of fund finance including subscription financing, NAV/Hybrid, unencumbered asset pool financing, employee co-invest, GP support and management fee financings. Haynes Boone has offices in New York, California, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Washington D.C., London, Mexico City, Shanghai and across Texas, representing agent banks in Fund Financings in Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America. With over 700 lawyers, Haynes Boone is ranked among the largest U.S.‐based firms by The National Law Journal.

Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown, the founding sponsor of the Annual Subscription Facility and Fund Finance Symposium, is a global legal services organization advising clients across the Americas, Asia and Europe. Our presence in the world’s leading markets enables us to offer clients access to local market knowledge combined with global reach. Mayer Brown’s finance platform is based on the Firm’s global position and our balanced and integrated practice, which encompasses all the focused skill sets that our clients demand— from cross-border acquisition finance and international capital markets work to project finance, structured finance, and derivatives.

Mayer Brown is a market leader and has acted as Adviser to Lenders and Funds on over 500 subscription credit facilities in the last two years. The firm has relationships with every major US lender along with the majority of active lenders in the European and Asian markets. The team has led transactions funded by balance sheet lenders and commercial paper conduits as well as large syndicated facilities to accommodate various types of insurance companies. Its lawyers are experienced documenting the full suite of fund and portfolio-level financings including subscription-backed credit facilities, NAV facilities, private placements, equity commitment facilities, hybrid facilities, open-end fund facilities, management fee credit lines and an assortment of leveraged asset level transactions.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG) is one of the world’s leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo, MUFG has a global network that includes over 1,800 locations in more than 50 countries. With close to 150,000 employees and approximately 300 entities worldwide, MUFG provides access to commercial banking, trust banking, securities trading services, credit cards, consumer banking and finance, asset management, leasing, and other services. Through close partnerships with its operating companies, MUFG aims to “be the world’s most trusted financial group” by responding flexibly to customers’ financial needs, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE:MUFG) stock exchanges.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP (www.simpsonthacher.com) is one of the world’s leading international law firms. The Firm was established in 1884 and today has more than 1,300 lawyers. Building on over 135 years of experience, the Firm has played a substantial role in many of the most complex and noteworthy transactions and matters of the last decades. Headquartered in New York with offices in Beijing, Brussels, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Palo Alto, São Paulo, Tokyo and Washington, D.C., the Firm provides coordinated legal advice and transactional capability to clients around the globe.

The Firm offers a market-leading fund finance practice with deep experience providing fund- and asset-level leverage solutions for private equity, real estate, investment, special situations and infrastructure funds. Complementing the Firm’s preeminent private funds practice, our global fund finance team represents clients across a broad spectrum of transactions encompassing all aspects of the investment management business.

SuMi TRUST

Established in 1925, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited (“SuMi Trust”) is the largest Japanese trust bank, providing a wide range of banking and fiduciary services to its customers. In its domestic Japanese market, SuMi Trust business covers asset management, corporate and structured financing, real estate brokerage, mortgage loan and retail banking. In international market, SuMi Trust has branches in major global financial centers, where it is primarily focused on banking activity – most notably corporate and structured finance. SuMi Trust is well known not only for working openly and collaboratively with its banking clients, but also for seeking opportunities to introduce its Japanese investor partners enhanced investment solutions in line with its trust bank heritage.

Gold Sponsors

Allens

Allens is a leading international law firm serving clients throughout Australia and Asia. Together with Linklaters, our global network spans 40 offices across 28 countries.

We have built our reputation on the quality of our people, the strength of our client relationships and our innovative approach to complex work. We combine technical excellence with commercial understanding to provide the best insights and whether you're a global multinational or a start-up with a bright idea, our commitment to outstanding service is the same.

Our focus on achieving excellent results for our clients has led to many accolades, including Australian Law Firm of the Year – Chambers Asia Pacific Awards 2023 and Best Law & Related Services Firm – Beaton Client Choice Award 2021.

Bank of China Sydney Branch

As China’s most globalised bank, and one of the world’s largest financial institutions, Bank of China Limited(“BOC”) has over 306,931 employees in the Chinese mainland as well as 64 countries and regions, with total assets over $4.5 trillion as of the end of year 2023. BOC has a well-established global service network and an integrated financial service system based on the pillars of its corporate banking, personal banking, financial markets and other commercial banking business, which covers investment banking, direct investment, securities, insurance, funds, aircraft leasing, asset management, financial technology, financing leasing and other areas. In addition, BOCHK and the Macau Branch serve as local note-issuing banks in their respective markets. The primary centres of fund financing in Asia are Sydney, Singapore, Macau and Hong Kong.

Clifford Chance LLP

Clifford Chance is one of the world’s pre-eminent law firms, with the depth and range of resources to help our clients across all the major global financial centres. As a single, fully integrated partnership, we pride ourselves on our ability to work seamlessly across national borders and product areas to deliver broad industry expertise and local knowledge. Clifford Chance brings a market-leading fund finance proposition, advising lenders, investors and sponsors/GPs on a wide range of financing options, including capital call / bridge facilities, leveraged NAV facilities and borrowing base deals (including hybrid facilities), along with facilities for general partners, preferred equity arrangements and non-bank financing. Our global funds/funds formation practice of over 130 lawyers works in tandem with our lending, corporate and regulatory teams to provide a complete fund financing platform for our clients.

Debevoise & Plimpton

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices and a global perspective. Approximately 800 lawyers work in nine offices across three continents, within integrated global practices, serving clients around the world.

The firm has extensive experience in all aspects of fund-level financing transactions for different types of investment funds and their managers. It has been regularly representing sponsors for more than a decade in a broad range of transactions, including subscription credit facilities, leveraged portfolio acquisition and other asset-based financings, hybrid facilities, management company liquidity facilities and co-investment facilities.

Debevoise’s fund finance practice is global in nature, with strong teams in the U.S., Europe and Asia advising an international client base.

East West Bank

East West Bank provides financial services that help customers reach further and connect to new opportunities. East West Bancorp, Inc. is a public company (NASDAQ: “EWBC”) with total assets of $72.5B. The company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, East West Bank, is the largest independent bank headquartered in Southern California. EWB Private Equity, with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley and Hong Kong, is the Bank’s largest industry specialty group, with in-depth knowledge of the fund finance market. The Private Equity Group provides creatively designed credit solutions to meet the fund financing needs of a wide range of asset management firms, funds and partnerships. We support clients at all stages of the investment lifecycle with capital call lines and NAV facilities, as well as hybrid facilities which blend the two. We provide these lines to traditional funds, SMAs and high net worth investor feeder funds. For management companies and general partners, we craft facilities supported by management fees and general partner stakes to provide liquidity and investable capital.

Harneys

Harneys is a leading international offshore law firm offering expert advice on the laws of the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Bermuda, Anguilla, and Jersey* to a global client base that includes the world’s top law firms, financial institutions, and investment funds, as well as high-net-worth individuals. We are a full-service offshore law firm that manages all transactional, contentious, and private client disciplines. Our lawyers often work alongside Harneys Fiduciary, our strategic alliance partner, which offers a full complement of corporate, wealth, and fiduciary services.

Harneys has played in key role in the offshore finance industry since its inception. Our clients include almost every significant bank and financial institution in the world as well as listed and private companies. Harneys have advised on a wide range of offshore financing transactions including fund finance, leveraged finance, margin lending, acquisition finance, pre-IPO finance, take-private transactions, bond issuances, convertible instruments, derivative transactions, property finance and syndicated lending.

*Jersey legal services are provided through a referral arrangement with Harneys (Jersey) which is an independently owned and controlled Jersey law firm.

ING

ING is a global bank with a strong European base. Our more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries.

Our purpose is to empower people to stay a step ahead in life and in business.

Our products include savings, payments, investments, loans and mortgages in most of our retail markets. For our Wholesale Banking clients we provide specialised lending, tailored corporate finance, debt and equity market solutions, sustainable finance solutions, payments & cash management and trade and treasury services.

Customer experience is what differentiates us and we’re continuously innovating to improve it. We also partner with others to bring disruptive ideas to the market faster.

ING’s dedicated Fund Finance team have a presence in London, Luxembourg, New York and Singapore.

King & Spalding

King & Spalding is an international law firm that represents a broad array of clients, including half of the Fortune Global 100, with 1,300 lawyers in 24 offices in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The firm has handled matters in over 160 countries on six continents and consistently earns recognition for the results it obtains, uncompromising commitment to quality, and dedication to understanding the business and culture of its clients. More information is available at www.kslaw.com.

Our Fund Finance practice comprises dedicated professionals who have been advising both lender and borrower clients across all asset classes since the inception of the fund finance market across all fund finance primary products including subscription credit and hybrid facilities, NAV financing, GP financing, executive programmes, back-leverage and hybrid preferred equity structures as well as distribution solutions, including structured note programmes and JV structures.

We offer clients unrivalled cross-border capabilities and experience with respect to the legal and commercial issues relevant to lenders and borrowers of these products. We pride ourselves on our ability to understand the dynamics of our clients’ businesses and our ability to deliver practical, innovative and business-focussed solutions.

We are uniquely placed to advise on all aspects of fund finance, being the only law firm with a dedicated Fund Finance - Capital Solutions platform and specialist ESG fund finance expertise.

Ranked Tier 1, Legal 500 Fund Finance (2025); Band 1, Chambers Fund Finance (2025)

Milbank

Milbank LLP is a leading international law firm that provides a full range of innovative legal services to clients around the world. Founded in New York over 150 years ago, we maintain offices in Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Munich, São Paulo, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, DC. Our lawyers collaborate across practices and offices to help the world's leading commercial, financial and industrial enterprises, as well as institutions, individuals and governments, achieve their strategic objectives.

Milbank has extensive experience structuring, documenting and implementing the full spectrum of fund financings, including subscription financings, net asset value (NAV) based financings, co-invest facilities and hybrid fund financings ranging in size from US$50 million to US$2 billion (equivalent). Milbank’s representations in these transactions has included acting for lenders and borrowers of fund financings; representing a range of major American, European and Asian global investment funds, asset managers and private-equity houses as well as international and domestic banks and alternative credit providers; providing ongoing support for subsequent facility amendments, borrower, guarantor and lender joinders, maturity date extensions and commitment increases and LIBOR transition management; as well as modifying existing traditional fund financings secured by capital contributions of the investors into hybrid financings based on the net asset value of the investments of the funds secured by the value of those investments.

Mourant

Our cross-practice fund finance team advises open-ended and closed-ended funds established in the Cayman Islands, the BVI, Jersey, Guernsey and Luxembourg, as well as bank and non-bank lenders to those funds.

We regularly advise on the structuring and implementation of subscription credit lines, NAV facilities (including hybrid arrangements), GP loans and other fund level leverage and related security arrangements. We often do so in conjunction with leading law firms onshore.

Our ‘one firm’ approach means that working together with clients we deliver seamless, objective and commercially grounded advice on the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the leading offshore fund jurisdictions. Our team exercises true commercial judgment in delivering advice often going the extra mile, with a personal approach, and forming genuine partnerships with our clients and their advisers. Clients benefit from our teams working together and making things happen in this way, resulting in deals being delivered on time and within budget.

Visit www.mourant.com to find out more.

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking is a leading global financial institution that provides advisory, investment banking, financing, corporate banking and capital markets services to corporations, financial institutions, financial sponsors and sovereign and supranational organizations worldwide.

Our teams of experts in about 30 countries advise clients on their strategic development, helping them to grow and transform their businesses, and maximize their positive impact. Natixis CIB is committed to aligning its financing portfolio with a carbon neutrality path by 2050 while helping its clients reduce the environmental impact of their business.

As part of the Global Financial Services division of Groupe BPCE, the second largest banking group in France through the Banque Populaire and Caisse d’Epargne retail networks, Natixis CIB benefits from the Group’s financial strength and solid financial ratings (Standard & Poor's: A+, Moody's: A1, Fitch: A+, R&I: A+).

Walkers

Walkers' global fund finance group comprises dedicated fund formation and finance lawyers who act on complex and innovative fund financing solutions and advise clients across the world’s financial markets. As one of the first offshore teams to work on subscription line credit transactions and hedge fund financing platforms, for both lender and borrower clients, we provide an unmatched depth of expertise across our global network in the Americas, EMEA and Asia. In a volatile world we are a safe pair of hands in safe jurisdictions.

Our fund financing teams have been at the forefront of the development of the fund finance market in these regions, working closely with leading financial institutions, investment managers and law firms. Our people and our approach to solving our clients challenges are tried and tested, but that doesn’t mean we ever stand still.

Walkers' global fund finance group provides commercially focused advice to both lenders and borrowers on a range of financing solutions. Our multi-disciplinary team has an in-depth understanding of the structures used by investment managers and the legal and commercial issues relevant to fund finance providers. Our clients include agents, banks, alternative lenders and investment fund managers, including private equity, credit, real estate and hedge funds. Markets change, regulation evolves, businesses adapt, and we keep on reinventing our service for the times we find ourselves in.

WongPartnership LLP

Headquartered in Singapore, WongPartnership is a market leader and one of the largest law firms in the country. We offer our clients access to our offices in China and Myanmar, and in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines, through the member firms of WPG, a regional law network. Together, WPG offers the expertise of over 400 professionals to meet the needs of our clients throughout the region.

Our expertise spans the full suite of legal services to include both advisory and transactional work where we have been involved in landmark corporate transactions, as well as complex and high-profile litigation and arbitration matters. WongPartnership is also a member of the globally renowned World Law Group, one of the oldest and largest networks of leading law firms.

At WongPartnership, we recognise that our clients want to work with the best. As a partnership of exceptional individuals, we are committed in every way to make that happen.

Silver Sponsors

Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie (www.bakermckenzie.com) brings insight and foresight to clients across more than 70 global offices. Our team of 13,000 people, including over 6,500 lawyers, works alongside our clients to drive growth that is both sustainable – and inclusive.With locations in financial centers and emerging markets, Baker McKenzie’s Global Banking & Finance Group advises on complex financing transactions and regulatory matters across borders. Our locally-embedded, globally-experienced lawyers bring deep sector expertise and an innovative and commercial approach to offer a seamless, end-to-end experience for clients and deliver maximum value to stakeholders in the global financial markets.Our Fund Finance practice seamlessly integrates our market leading Funds and Banking & Finance practices to advise local and international financial institutions, PE funds, credit funds and real estate funds on a wide range of fund finance solutions, including capital call facilities, GP facilities and NAV facilities.

グローバルに展開する法律事務所であるベーカーマッケンジーは、70を超える世界各地の拠点よりクライアントのビジネスをサポートしております。6,500名超の専門家を含む13,000名のメンバーが、クライアントとともに持続可能かつインクルーシブな成長を達成すべく、日々邁進しております。各金融センター及び新興市場に拠点を置くベーカーマッケンジーのバンキング＆ファイナンス・グループは、複数法域に跨る金融取引や規制に精通しています。現地に根ざしたノウハウ及びグローバルな経験を併せ持つ専門家が、産業分野に関する深い専門知識と革新的なアプローチを駆使して、クライアントに一貫したサービスを、そしてステークホルダーに最大限の価値を提供しております。また当事務所のファンド・ファイナンス部門は、市場をリードするファンド部門とバンキング＆ファイナンス部門の専門家により構成されており、国内外の金融機関、PEファンド、クレジット・ファンド、不動産ファンドに対し、キャピタル・コール・ファシリティ、GPファシリティ、NAVファシリティを含む広範なファンド・ファイナンスに関するアドバイスを行っています。

OCBC Bank

OCBC is the longest established Singapore bank and the 2^nd largest financial services group in Southeast Asia by assets with one of the world’s highest credit rating (Aa1 by Moody’s and AA- by both Fitch and S&P). With a full spectrum of specialist financial solutions delivered through an extensive network of >420 branches and representative offices in 19 countries, we develop and customize products/services to support our clients’ business growth ambitions.

OCBC is a leading Asian fund financing partner to private capital funds where we have been a long-term banking partner to them across various fund strategies within OCBC’s network since 2018. This is complemented by event driven and working capital financing for portfolio companies, M&A advisory and syndication capabilities.

As One Group, OCBC supports your ambitions across borders with our deep local knowledge – be it growing your personal wealth or capturing business opportunities – for now, and beyond. OCBC offers private banking services through our wholly owned subsidiary, Bank of Singapore, which operates on a unique open-architecture product platform to source for the best-in-class products to meet its clients’ goals. Great Eastern Holdings, our insurance subsidiary, is the oldest and most established life insurance group in Singapore and Malaysia. Lion Global Investors, our asset management subsidiary, is one of the leading asset management companies in Southeast Asia.

For more information, please visit www.ocbc.com.

Simmons & Simmons LLP

Collaborative, agile and partner-led: that’s Simmons & Simmons. A law firm that challenges, creates new possibilities and offers opinion not just option. A law firm that acts as your business partner and works with you, not for you.

We focus on four highly regulated sectors using our specialist skills to understand your business, and the forces at play around it. All grounded in exceptional knowledge of the legal detail. This is how we consistently deliver smarter, more efficient ways to tackle our clients’ most complex challenges.

Our International Funds Finance practice is no exception. Operating across the UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia, we’re recognised for both technical excellence and outstanding commerciality. The team advises banks, hedge fund managers, private equity funds, real estate funds and investment fund managers in connection with a wide range of financings involving many different fund asset classes. As both the Asset Management/ Investment Funds and Financial Institutions sectors are key areas of focus for our firm, whether we are acting for a lender or a borrower, we are able to deliver an efficient and high calibre service.

Societe Generale

Societe Generale is a top tier European Bank with more than 126,000 employees serving about 25 million clients in 65 countries across the world. We have been supporting the development of our economies for 160 years, providing our corporate, institutional, and individual clients with a wide array of value-added advisory and financial solutions. Our long-lasting and trusted relationships with the clients, our cutting-edge expertise, our unique innovation, our ESG capabilities and leading franchises are part of our DNA and serve our most essential objective - to deliver sustainable value creation for all our stakeholders.

The Group runs three complementary sets of businesses, embedding ESG offerings for all its clients:

French Retail, Private Banking and Insurance, with leading retail bank SG and insurance franchise, premium private banking services, and the leading digital bank BoursoBank.

Global Banking and Investor Solutions, a top tier wholesale bank offering tailored-made solutions with distinctive global leadership in equity derivatives, structured finance and ESG.
Mobility, International Retail Banking and Financial Services, comprising well-established universal banks (in Czech Republic, Romania and several African countries), Ayvens (the new ALD I LeasePlan brand), a global player in sustainable mobility, as well as specialized financing activities.

Committed to building together with its clients a better and sustainable future, Societe Generale aims to be a leading partner in the environmental transition and sustainability overall. The Group is included in the principal socially responsible investment indices: DJSI (Europe), FTSE4Good (Global and Europe), Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index, Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion Index, Euronext Vigeo (Europe and Eurozone), STOXX Global ESG Leaders indexes, and the MSCI Low Carbon Leaders Index (World and Europe).

For more information, visit societegenerale.com.

Media Partners

Global Legal Group

Global Legal Group (GLG) is an independent London-based legal media company firmly committed to delivering pivotal insights. Our range of print and digital products, as well as in-person and online events, provides primary legal, regulatory and policy information and reporting to businesses worldwide. We believe in pursuing fresh, indispensable information to advance the industry as a whole. Across our products, we cover more than 60 areas of law and over 190 jurisdictions, connecting our audience with the expert knowledge they seek out and rely on. We’re passionate about highly relevant, real-time information that empowers learning and advice as it’s shared among our global community, which is made up of private practice lawyers, in-house counsel, compliance officers and businesspeople.

Global Legal Insights to Fund Finance 2025 now into its ninth edition, provides in-depth analysis, insight and intelligence across 31 expert analysis chapters and 19 jurisdictions, covering key industry trends and developments around fund formation, net asset value facilities, subscription lines, enforcement, secondaries, ratings and collateralised fund obligations alongside much more. Written by leading industry participants from across the industry, this is the definitive legal guide for the global fund finance industry in 2025. Available online and to download for free.

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2022 APAC Journal

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