Banking and Financial Services
Regulatory reform, shifting capital flows, the rise of private credit, and the acceleration of sustainable finance are reshaping how institutions lend, borrow, and manage risk. Against this backdrop, borrowers, lenders, sponsors, and fund managers need advisers who understand the full complexity of modern financial markets.
Overview
Our Banking and Financial Services team is one of Australia's most experienced and highly regarded practices, advising across the complete spectrum of financing transactions and financial services regulation. We act for domestic and international banks, institutional lenders, private credit providers, borrowers, sponsors, funds, and government entities on transactions of every scale and complexity.
Our deep market knowledge, commercial pragmatism, and integrated approach allow us to deliver seamless advice across acquisition finance, leveraged finance, project finance, real estate finance, sustainable finance and green finance, debt capital markets, securitisation, fund finance, private credit, distressed debt, corporate finance, syndicated lending, and fintech and digital assets.
Supporting your business
Acquisition, leveraged & syndicated finance
M&A financing, recapitalisations, bilateral, and syndicated facilities for sponsors, borrowers, and lending syndicates. Visit our Leveraged Finance page.
Project & real estate finance
Complex financings across energy, infrastructure, transport, and resources, as well as construction, development, and investment-grade property lending.
Sustainable finance & green finance
Green loans, sustainability-linked loans, social bonds, and transition finance aligned with evolving Australian taxonomy framework.
Debt capital markets & securitisation
Bond issuances, MTN programmes, hybrids, regulatory capital transactions, RMBS, ABS, and warehouse funding.
Fund finance, private credit & distressed debt
Subscription lines, NAV financing, direct lending, restructuring, workouts, and enforcement.
Fintech, digital assets & payments
Regulation and financing of digital platforms, tokenised products, and the payments regulatory framework.
Superannuation
Investment mandates, fund structuring, and operational arrangements for funds and trustees.
Prudential regulation & compliance
APRA engagement, capital requirements, AML/CTF programmes, AUSTRAC enforcement, the Financial Accountability Regime, and breach reporting.
Experience
Griffon Corporation
Advised New York Stock Exchange listed Griffon Corporation on its agreement to sell 51% of its Australia and New Zealand business unit to a joint venture with an investment group led by the management of AMES Australasia, with support from Australian financial investors, in a deal valued at over A$300 million. Read more.
Blackstone
Advised Blackstone on its acquisition of Hamilton Island, one of Australia's most iconic luxury holiday destinations. Read more.
Proprium Capital Partners
Advised Proprium Capital Partners and the AVID group of companies on two separate but interrelated financings in connection with the acquisition of AVJennings Limited by way of scheme of arrangement.
Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing
Assisted on the acquisition of a 50%/80% interest in a portfolio of four industrial and logistics assets located across New South Wales and Victoria.
Australian Office of Financial Management
Advised on a review of the Commonwealth Government's Green Bond Framework.
Westpac Banking Corporation
Advised on the the securitisation and APS 120 elements of the sale of a pool of auto loan receivables by Westpac to Resimac funding vehicles.
AXA Real Estate Investment Managers Australia
Clayton Utz has acted for AXA IM Alts*, a global leader in alternative investments, in establishing its Australian build-to-rent (BTR) affordable housing fund which secured a A$100 million investment from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), bringing total equity commitments to A$320 million.
Pacific Equity Partners Pty Ltd
Advised in drafting Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) variation applications for Pacific Equity Partners Pty Ltd and Pacific Equity Partners Investors Administration Pty Ltd (PEP IA) to broaden their authorisations in line with their expanded business activities.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Advised Commonwealth Bank of Australia on a landmark A$168 million financing arrangement to support the construction of a build-to-rent development in Meadowbank, Sydney. Read more.
Explore the ways our team can assist you
Leveraged Finance
Property Finance
Project Finance
Debt Capital Markets
Securitisation
Derivatives / Debt
Private Equity
Superannuation and Pensions
Funds Management
Insights
Private credit's stress test: from developer distress to fund freezes, ASIC's enforcement moment arrives
1 Oct 2026 | Article
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Media Release: Clayton Utz advises NYSE-listed Griffon Corporation on 51% sale of AMES Australasia business to a joint venture led by the AMES Australasia management
11 Aug 2026 | Media Release
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APRA’s governance reset: What draft CPS 510 means for boards and company secretaries
24 Jul 2026 | Article
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Solving the platform puzzle: ASIC's push to complete the picture on superannuation platform oversight and governance
2 Jul 2026 | Article
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Navigating the Draft SPF Code: implications and responsibilities for banks
18 Jun 2026 | Article
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Australia's Sustainable Investment Product Labelling regime: what product issuers need to know
8 May 2026 | Article
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Media release: Clayton Utz advises Nelnet on acquisition of Passtab, Entrytab, and Resitab businesses
7 May 2026 | Media Release
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APRA's AI letter: a shift from framework to targeted expectations
5 May 2026 | Article
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Litigation and strategy – testing the limits in the Mirabela liquidation
22 Apr 2026 | Article
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Parliament passes exemptions for foreign financial service providers
8 Apr 2026 | Article
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