Best Structured Finance Lawyers in Ermoupoli

1. About Structured Finance Law in Ermoupoli, Greece

Structured finance in Ermoupoli involves using specialized legal structures to pool and finance assets, then issue securities backed by those assets. In practice, this often means creating a dedicated special purpose vehicle (SPV) to hold assets and issue notes to investors. The aim is to improve liquidity for local businesses, banks and public entities while managing risk through defined cash flows and collateral.

Greece follows both national laws and European rules on securitisation. A key feature is that SPVs are established under national securitisation provisions, but they must align with EU requirements on transparency, risk retention, and investor protection. Local counsel, including Greek solicitors (δικηγόρος) and corporate lawyers, plays a critical role in structuring, due diligence, and regulatory compliance.

Recent years have seen increasing alignment with EU securitisation standards, which affects Ermoupoli lenders, originators and SPV managers. This includes enhanced disclosure for investors and rules about which parties retain risk in the securitisation structure. The result is more standardized processes and clearer governance for structured finance deals in the Cyclades and broader Greece.

2. Why You May Need a Lawyer

A local structured finance lawyer in Ermoupoli helps you navigate the complexity of securitisation, SPVs and related regulatory requirements. The following real-world scenarios illustrate where legal counsel is essential.

• Securitising a portfolio of SME loans in Syros - A regional bank in Ermoupoli seeks to transfer a pool of small business loans to an SPV. You need due diligence, asset transfer mechanics, trust or collateral arrangements, and regulatory approvals to ensure clean title and enforceable notes.
• Funding a new hotel project with a securitised rent stream - A local developer plans to securitise expected lease payments from a new property. You require cash-flow modeling, security interests, and compliance with EU risk retention and transparency rules.
• Cross-border securitisation involving foreign investors - An Ermoupoli company wants American or EU investors in a Greek SPV. You need cross-border corporate governance, tax considerations, and EU disclosure obligations to avoid regulatory gaps.
• Receivables securitisation for a tourism services company - A tour operator requires securitisation of accounts receivable to finance operations through a structured note program. Legal counsel must craft transfer agreements, eligibility criteria and service agreements with the administrator.
• Restructuring failed credits under austerity or insolvency regimes - A debtor with impaired loans seeks to improve liquidity by securitising future cash flows. You need risk assessment, creditor rights considerations, and fair treatment under Greek insolvency law.
• Regulatory compliance for a Greek SPV - If you form an SPV in Ermoupoli, you must satisfy ongoing reporting, retention, and governance requirements under EU securitisation standards. A lawyer helps maintain compliance and manage audits.

Working with a qualified Greek solicitor or attorney ensures you understand burdens and advantages. A local lawyer can coordinate with auditors, trustees, and rating agencies to manage complex documentation and regulatory filings.

3. Local Laws Overview

Key frameworks govern structured finance in Ermoupoli, combining national securitisation law with EU regulations. The following laws and regulations shape how securitisation transactions are structured, documented and supervised.

• Law 3156/2003 on Securitisation of Claims and SPV Framework - This national law establishes the basic mechanism for transferring portfolios to SPVs and issuing securities backed by those assets. It provides the legal means to create SPVs, transfer title to securitized assets, and set out governing relationships among originators, SPVs, servicers and investors. The law has been subject to amendments to reflect EU securitisation standards as they evolved.
• Regulation (EU) 2017/2402 on Securitisation - This European Union regulation creates a unified framework for securitisation across member states, including Greece. It introduces risk retention, transparency and due diligence requirements for originators, sponsors and securitisation trustees, and it standardizes securitisation documentation and disclosures. It became applicable in 2019 and continues to influence local securitisation practice in Ermoupoli.
• Regulatory guidance and oversight by Greek and EU authorities - National supervisory actions and European guidance shape structure, disclosure standards and governance for securitisations. Local actions often involve coordinating with the Council of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission in implementing EU rules and ensuring investor protection in Greek markets.

Securitisation Regulation requires originators, sponsors or original lenders to retain a material net economic interest of at least 5 percent in securitisations, and imposes ongoing transparency obligations.

Source: ESMA overview of the Securitisation Regulation. esma.europa.eu

Source: Greek securitisation framework summary on the national level. gov.gr

4. Frequently Asked Questions

What is structured finance in Ermoupoli?

Structured finance pools assets into an SPV to issue securities backed by those assets. The aim is to raise capital while spreading and managing risk for lenders and investors. A lawyer helps structure the arrangement and ensure enforceability.

How do I start a securitisation in Ermoupoli?

Identify the asset pool, form an SPV, transfer assets, obtain ratings if needed, and issue securities. Legal counsel coordinates the asset transfer, governance documents and regulatory filings.

When should I involve a lawyer in a securitisation?

Involve a lawyer from the outset to review asset eligibility, transfer mechanics, SPV formation, and EU compliance. Early advice reduces later renegotiation costs.

Where can I find local counsel for structured finance in Ermoupoli?

Look for Greek solicitors (δικηγόρος) with corporate, banking or financial services experience. Local firms often offer coordinated services across the SPV, servicer and investor documentation.

Why is risk retention important in securitisations?

EU rules require originators or sponsors to retain a portion of the securitised risk. This ensures ongoing alignment of interests between originators and investors and affects capital requirements.

Can foreign investors participate in Greek securitisations?

Yes, foreign investors can participate, but participation requires compliance with EU and Greek regulatory requirements, including disclosure and tax considerations. A local attorney can manage cross-border documentation.

Should I consider an STS securitisation in Greece?

STS denotes simple, transparent and standardized securitisations and can improve investor confidence. Eligibility depends on asset types, structure, and governance disclosures.

Do I need a notary or a local registrar for securitisation steps?

Notarisation and registration requirements vary by asset and contractual type. A structured finance solicitor confirms what is required for each transfer, trust or security interest.

Is a detailed cash-flow model required for securitisation?

Yes, detailed cash-flow modeling supports investor disclosures and helps structure the notes. It guides triggers, waterfalls, and default mechanics.

How long does a typical Ermoupoli securitisation process take?

Complex deals may take several weeks to months, depending on asset type, counterparties, and regulatory approvals. A lawyer can provide a realistic timeline based on your deal scope.

What costs should I expect for a Greek securitisation project?

Costs include legal fees, SPV formation costs, accounting and audit fees, rating agency fees if applicable, and ongoing compliance costs. A lawyer can provide a fixed or phased budget.

What if a securitisation fails to perform as expected?

Documentation should specify remedies, waterfall adjustments, and enforcement processes. A lawyer helps navigate default scenarios and any insolvency procedures.

5. Additional Resources

These resources provide authoritative information on securitisation, regulation and governance relevant to Ermoupoli and Greece:

• gov.gr - Official Greek government portal hosting law summaries, regulatory guidelines, and guidance on securitisation implementations and procedural steps in Greece. gov.gr
• ESMA - European Union regulator with guidance, technical standards and enforcement information on securitisation Regulation and market practices. esma.europa.eu
• Bank of Greece - Central bank and financial regulator overseeing banks and credit institutions involved in securitisation, including supervisory expectations and regulatory interpretations. bankofgreece.gr

6. Next Steps

1. Define your objective - Clarify asset types, scale of securitisation, target investor base and desired risk profile. Timeline: 1-3 days.
2. Identify qualified Greek counsel - Seek a solicitor with banking, corporate and securitisation experience in Ermoupoli and Greece. Timeline: 1-2 weeks for initial consultations.
3. Prepare a deal brief - Assemble asset lists, existing contracts, key covenants and any preliminary term sheet. Timeline: 1 week.
4. Conduct initial regulatory assessment - Have your solicitor review EU rules (Securitisation Regulation) and Greek framework for SPV formation and retention obligations. Timeline: 1-2 weeks.
5. Draft structure and governance documents - Create SPV charter, servicing agreements, investor disclosures and security interests. Timeline: 2-4 weeks.
6. Engage additional professionals - Bring in auditors, servicers, rating agencies (if required) and tax advisors for cross-border deals. Timeline: 2-6 weeks.
7. Sign and close - Finalise transactional documents, transfer assets to the SPV, and issue securities to investors. Timeline: 1-3 months depending on complexity.