In many markets, if you want to raise some equity or debt, you would likely need to approach a pure investment bank or Big Four company. For financing, you would have to go to yet another player such as commercial banks. Institutions that cover both sides are very rare in the small & mid-market in Europe, and that is where BIL Corporate Finance comes into play, offering a one-stop shop solution.
BIL Corporate Finance provides tailor-made lending for growth, strategic and refinancing purposes. In their financial advisory role, they support clients at every stage of their strategic transactions, from diagnosis, preparation, marketing and negotiation, to documentation. With teams in Luxembourg and Switzerland, they can cater to clients inside and outside of the EU, including an increasing number of Chinese prospects.
“We bring our group’s pan-European expertise to small- and medium- sized clients who need solutions, whether that is to raise financing for a strategic acquisition with some cross-border elements, for example, or when an investment company needs to realise some asset sales in different countries and requires a partner who has credibility as an institution to take on these transactions.” Jeffrey Dentzer, Chief of Luxembourg Market & CIB.
We bring our group’s pan-European expertise to small- and medium- sized clients who need solutions, whether that is to raise financing for a strategic acquisition with some cross-border elements, for example, or when an investment company needs to realise some asset sales in different countries and requires a partner who has credibility as an institution to take on these transactions
The offer of BIL Corporate Finance is distinctive in the European market in a couple of notable ways. First, they have a one-stop shop offer, hence clients do not feel as though they are shuffled around. Also, many of the transactions the team takes on require highly tailor-made solutions, which are time-intensive and require a high level of expertise. This sort of customised treatment is often not offered by larger organisations.
“Saying you offer tailor-made solutions is something of a cliché, but in our case, that is exactly what we do. Our senior bankers are highly involved with each and every transaction. We closely look at the needs of clients to find the right solution, which can be financing by the bank or raising outside capital in the form of debt or equity.” Rémy Savoya, Head of CIB at BIL Switzerland.
Having expertise in lending is key when the team works on advisory mandates because they know very well how investment committees operate. Conversely, they know the constraints you have to go through as a lender, and this augments the financial advisory side. Their approach is holistic, and they consider every solution available.
“As a financial advisor, we offer a wide range of corporate finance solutions combining mainly acquisition financing, debt-equity advisory & M&A, dedicated to entrepreneurs and corporates in support of their strategic transactions. We find the right tailor-made solution even if it is for a cross-border transaction.” Frédéric Cassani, Head of Corporate Finance at BIL Luxembourg.
While they cater to different types of clients, ranging from private investors to single-family offices, many clients are medium-sized companies that are backed by families or entrepreneurs. The size of transactions BIL Corporate Financing handles range from €10 million to €250 million. Even though the activity is very new on the financial advisory side, they have already concluded €400 million in corporate finance advisory mandates, an impressive figure and for them, an important milestone.
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