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Insights November 2024

The National Bank of Ukraine introduced additional changes to currency restrictions

The National Bank of Ukraine published amendments to currency restrictions that were introduced in February 2022 at the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. The changes relate to payments under international technical assistance projects, transfers for the import of goods, dividend payments, and lending for the purchase of foreign currency-denominated government bonds. While the first two categories involve the easing of restrictions, dividend payments and lending for purchasing foreign currency-denominated government bonds are now subject to stricter regulation.Click on one of the images below or use the following links to read our overview in English or in Ukrainian. Download

Deals October 2024

Kinstellar advises the mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners in relation to a US$300 million syndicated term loan provided to Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan

Kinstellar has successfully advised the mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners on joint stock company Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan’s US$300 million syndicated term loan, which comprises 1-year and 3-year tranches. This marks Halyk Bank’s return to the international syndicated loan market, allowing it to secure vital funding and diversify its capital base under competitive terms. This significant transaction reopens the international syndicated loan market for Kazakhstan banks, highlighting growing international confidence in the sector. The deal was led by Citibank, London Branch, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, and Commerzbank. Our legal team was led by partners Joel Benjamin and Adlet Yerkinbayev, with support

Insights September 2024

Romania to introduce stricter compliance rules for crypto-asset service providers

Romania’s National Office for the Prevention and Control of Money Laundering has recently published a draft of an Emergency Ordinance amending and supplementing Law no. 129/2019 on the prevention and control of money laundering and terrorist financing (the Emergency Ordinance) in order to harmonise domestic legislation with the provisions of Directive (EU) 2015/849 of the European  Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2015 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering or terrorist financing (the Fifth AML Directive), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2023/113 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 2023 on information accompanying transfers of funds and certain crypto-assets

News September 2024

Kinstellar announces new Senior and Managing Associate promotions in Zagreb

Kinstellar is delighted to announce a new round of promotions in our Zagreb office. Tena Pajalić, Andrej Skljarov and Franciska Fadljević have been promoted to Managing Associates, and Hrvoje Klišanić and Kristina Marinov have become Senior Associates.  These skilled professionals have demonstrated their expertise and have become integral members of our team. This promotion acknowledges their professionalism, outstanding service to clients, and significant contributions to the Firm.Miroslav Plašćar, Office Co-Managing Partner Tena Pajalić advises on financing projects, particularly on acquisition finance and project finance. She is also regularly involved in corporate housekeeping matters and due

Deals August 2024

Kinstellar advises CCC on the Romanian, Czech, Croatian, Hungarian, and Slovak legal aspects of a PLN 1.8 billion financing agreement

Kinstellar is delighted to announce it has successfully advised CCC—a leading Polish-based footwear manufacturer and retailer with a network of over 1,000 stores across 29 countries—on the Romanian, Czech, Croatian, Hungarian and Slovak legal aspects of a PLN 1.8 billion (approximately EUR 420 million) term and revolving facilities agreement. The financing, which is provided by a consortium of lenders including mBank, EBRD, Bank Pekao, BNP Paribas Bank Polska, PKO Bank Polski, Santander Bank Polska, and Bank Handlowy w Warszawie, as well as the factoring entities Santander Factoring, mFaktoring, PKO Faktoring, and BNP Paribas Faktoring, will support CCC’s ongoing operations and the further development of its brands

News July 2024

Kinstellar continues to grow its Bucharest team, adding 6 new hires in the real estate, banking and finance, and competition law areas

Kinstellar is pleased to announce the successful completion of a new recruitment round, welcoming six lawyers to its growing team in Bucharest. The new additions bolster the local team’s offering in the real estate, banking & finance, and competition practices, addressing the increasing demand for specialized legal expertise in Romania. Denisa Constantin joined the real estate team as Associate. She has a proven track record of working on landmark transactions involving office, industrial, and agricultural assets, as well as renewable energy projects. Denisa has advised developers on due diligence, transaction documents, permitting, lease agreements, and superficies agreements, among others. Sandra Gheorghe

Deals July 2024

Kinstellar advises on the green loan financing for CPI Property Group in the Czech Republic

Kinstellar has successfully advised ČSOB on the financing of a portfolio of rooftop solar power plants for CPI Property Group in the Czech Republic through a green loan. The transition to an ecological, low-carbon economy is an essential step for our continued operations. Green financing drives changes towards a sustainable future by supporting projects, initiatives, and technologies that positively impact the environment. The current construction of the solar power plants portfolio is one such example in which Kinstellar has played a key advisory role for the ČSOB group. CPI Property Group is a leading European real estate owner with over thirty years of history. In the Czech Republic, it is the largest owner of

Insights June 2024

Lifting financial assistance prohibition in Slovakia by allowing whitewash procedure

Effective 1 March 2024, financial assistance, i.e., the so-called whitewash procedure, is allowed for joint-stock companies, subject to certain conditions. Previously, such financial assistance was completely prohibited for joint-stock companies. No other types of companies in Slovakia were subject to this limitation. 1. What is the whitewash procedure? Financial assistance is defined as granting advance payments, loans or credits by a target company for the purpose of acquiring its shares and granting security by such company for this purpose. The financial assistance rules apply also for establishment of pledge over the company’s own shares as well as for acquiring, subscribing or establishing a pledge

Deals June 2024

Kinstellar advises ING Bank on a new EUR 150 million senior facility granted to Romanian telecommunications service provider DIGI Romania

Kinstellar, together with Linklaters LLP, has successfully advised ING Bank N.V. on a EUR 150 million senior facility agreement granted to DIGI Romania, the leading Romania-based paid television and telecommunications provider (and part of Dutch-registered Digi Communications N.V.). The term loan has a maturity of three years and will be used for the refinancing of the EUR 450 million senior guaranteed bonds issued by DIGI Romania, which are due in 2025. ING Bank N.V. acted as arranger and original lender, with ING Bank N.V. London Branch acting as facility agent. Kinstellar’s office in Romania has advised on various iterations of this transaction since 2016 and has thus been thoroughly involved in preparing

Deals May 2024

Kinstellar, together with Rymarz Zdort Maruta, advises SMYK Group on the amendment and extension of its financing

Kinstellar has successfully advised SMYK Group and its Romanian subsidiary, SMYK All For Kids, on all Romanian law aspects concerning the amendment and extension of its group financing. The financing transaction involved an extremely tight timeline and required seamless alignment, as it was conducted simultaneously with Bridgepoint’s sale of shares in Smyk Group to Accession Capital Partners (ACP). Kinstellar was previously selected by SMYK Group as its local advisor on various iterations of this financing, and also advised Bridgepoint on the local law aspects of Smyk’s acquisition in 2016. Smyk, established in 1952, is an iconic brand and Poland’s largest chain of stores selling toys, clothing for children

Deals May 2024

Kinstellar advises BIG Mega Renewable Energy on a EUR 92 million financing with EBRD and OTP Bank for the construction and operation of the Urleasca wind farm in Romania

Kinstellar has successfully advised leading developer BIG Mega Renewable Energy on a EUR 92 million financing agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and OTP Bank to build and operate the 102 MW Urleasca wind farm in Brăila county, Romania. The milestone project marks BIG Mega Renewable Energy’s first renewable investment in Romania, with the signing of the financing agreement highlighted as a crucial milestone for the company’s expansion strategy in Romania and the Balkans. The Urleasca wind farm is expected to make a significant contribution to Romania’s renewable energy goals, with generation capacity of 292 GWh per year. The financial closing is expected mid-2024. Kinstellar’s

News March 2024

Kinstellar announces new promotions to Counsel

February 2024 – Kinstellar is delighted to announce the promotions to Counsel of: Yerlan Akhmetov, Kuanysh Shekerbekov (Almaty, Kazakhstan), Cătălin Dinu, Cătălin Graure (Bucharest, Romania), Barnabás Sági (Budapest, Hungary), Yulia Eismont, Maksym Tesliar (Kyiv, Ukraine), Michal Forýtek (Prague, Czech Republic),  Andrijana Kaštelan, Vedran Kopilović, Marija Vuchetich (Zagreb, Croatia). ALMATY Yerlan Akhmetov focuses on banking and finance, M&A and capital markets matters. Having been with the Firm for nine years, Yerlan has earned a reputation for cultivating strong client relationships, demonstrating leadership qualities and making significant contributions to our firm's success. He has played a key role