We have advised Attica Bank S.A. on the successful completion of the Domus and Rhodium securitizations, two landmark transactions with a total gross book value of approximately €3.7 billion.

These transactions mark a decisive step in Attica Bank’s strategic transformation, securing the State Guarantee on the Senior notes under HAPS III and allowing the Bank to achieve a historic reduction in its NPE ratio to 2.8%. By retaining 100% of the Senior notes (€1.2 billion in total) and optimizing its capital position, Attica Bank is now well-positioned to focus on financing the Greek economy and delivering long-term sustainable growth.

Our firm provided comprehensive legal advisory services, navigating the legal complexities of these transactions to ensure a smooth and efficient completion. We are honored to have contributed to a transaction of such significance, reinforcing our role as a trusted legal partner in high-profile banking and finance deals.

We would also like to extend our congratulations to all advisors involved in these milestone transactions, including Milbank LLP (English law counsel to Attica Bank for Domus), Hogan Lovells LLP (English law counsel to Attica Bank for Rhodium), Allen & Overy Shearman (English law counsel to Davidson Kempner), and Zepos & Yannopoulos (Greek law counsel to Davidson Kempner).

The project was led by Alexandros Metallinos (Partner), with key support from Associate Eleni-Amalia Giannakopoulou alongside Associate Marios Mavros and Trainee Artemis Krasagakis.

Alexander Metallinos (Partner), assisted by Regina Keramida (Associate), has advised ION S.A. on the acquisition of Lavdas S.A. and its sister company, Olympic Hermes S.A. Our team provided comprehensive legal support to ION S.A. throughout the transaction, including the legal due diligence process, the preparation and negotiation of transaction documents, and the successful execution of the closing process.

Lavdas S.A., a company with 71 years of history and a strong presence in markets across Europe, the United States, Asia, and the Arab states, will continue to operate as an independent entity. The acquisition is expected to create meaningful synergies by combining the strengths of both organizations.

The acquisition aligns with ION’s strategic vision to strengthen its presence in the confectionery section, where the company has a proud legacy dating back to 1938. The integration of Lavdas S.A. into ION’s portfolio promises significant growth opportunities, enabling the company to meet rising global demand while maintaining its commitment to quality and tradition.

We are happy to announce that we acted for Matex Holdings Ltd on the sale of its company, NAIAS Scientific Analytical Laboratories S.A., to Maritec Pte. Ltd.

Registered in Piraeus, NAIAS is a leader in providing state-of-the-art, accredited quality testing and quantity inspection service to the maritime and industrial sectors for over 30 years. Specializing in water, fuel, oil, and environmental testing, NAIAS combines advanced technological capabilities with scientific knowhow, ensuring compliance with international standards. The company is now owned by Maritec Pte. Ltd., a globally recognized provider of fuel testing, condition monitoring, and environmental testing services headquartered in Singapore. Maritec’s acquisition of NAIAS enhances its capabilities and expands its footprint in the maritime and industrial sectors.

This cross-border transaction, which followed over a year of negotiations, was led by partner Alexander Metallinos, with the support of associate Alkmini Basakarou, while Reed Smith LLP acted for the purchaser.

We proudly announce that we acted for Eurobank S.A. together with Milbank LLP and Ioannides Demetriou LLC for the conclusion of (a) share purchase agreements with four employee welfare and health funds pursuant to which, Eurobank has agreed to acquire 12,848% holding in Hellenic Bank and (b) share purchase agreements with Demetra Holdings Plc and Logicom Services Limited pursuant to which, Eurobank has agreed to acquire a 24.66% holding in Hellenic Bank. Following completion of the transactions Eurobank will increase its holding in Hellenic Bank to 93.47% and Eurobank will proceed with a tender offer for the remaining shares to be followed by a squeeze out. These transactions lead to the conclusion of a complex acquisition process that took place in various steps. POTAMITISVEKRIS supported Eurobank in every step of the way to the successful outcome.

We are pleased to announce that POTAMITISVEKRIS has recently acted as legal advisor in the drafting and negotiation of asset management agreements and service level agreements for real estate asset portfolios.
Our Partner Alexander Metallinos, supported by Associate Lucy Levi, assisted Eurobank S.A. and Eurobank Leasing Single Member SA in concluding the 2nd Service Level Agreement with Cerved Property Services Single Member SA regarding the management of Eurobank Group’s real estate portfolio. This agreement marks the continuation of the longstanding cooperation between Eurobank Group and Cerved Property Services, enhancing a wide range of services that have been successfully provided since 2019.
Furthermore, our Partner Theologos Mintzas, supported by Associate Elisabetta Lentsiou, advised one of the systemic banks on the successful execution of two service level agreements for the management of the credit institution’s repossessed real estate assets with two separate asset managers. In addition, Theologos Mintzas and Elisabetta Lentsiou assisted an investment management firm with the successful execution of an asset management agreement, ensuring the effective day-to-day strategic management of a portfolio of assets owned by a Greek systemic bank.
POTAMITISVEKRIS’ involvement in these transactions highlights the trust our clients place in our expertise and our ability to manage complex and prolonged negotiations.

We’re proud to announce that our firm served as Greek counsel to Blackstone and HIP in the landmark acquisition of the owning company of Grand Hyatt—one of the largest transactions in the Greek hotel sector in recent years. This achievement is a testament to our team’s dedication and deep expertise in the hotel industry and the broader real estate sector.

The transaction was led by Partner Theologos Mintzas, supported by Associate Marina Fyrigou Koulouri. Partner Dimitris Loukas managed the notification to the Hellenic Competition Commission, supported by Senior Associate Athanasios Taliadouros. Partner Alexandros Metallinos spearheaded the financial aspects, with the assistance of Associate Nikos Stefas. Spiros Tassis led the data privacy components, supported by Senior Associate Panagiota Kelali, and Senior Associate Nikolas Sigkridis managed the employment law aspects, supported by Associate Yannis Ragos.

We extend our warmest thanks to all team members who contributed: Valia Anastasopoulou, Ilia Boura, Kassiani Flaouna, Virginia Kaklamanis, Konstantina Markomichali, Marianna Papandreou, Sofia Tsipouridi, Nikos Santas, and Glafki Setta. Their collective efforts were instrumental in ensuring the success of this significant transaction.

We are pleased to announce that POTAMITISVEKRIS has acted as legal advisor to OTE S.A. in the successful sale of its 94.09% equity in Otesat-Maritel S.A. to Orbyt Global S.A.

Otesat-Maritel S.A., a company specializing in maritime communications and satellite telecommunications for the Greek and international shipping industry, has been acquired by Orbyt Global S.A., another prominent entity in the maritime telecommunications sector. The transaction aligns with OTE’s strategic priorities and is expected to foster new growth opportunities for Otesat-Maritel.

The transaction, which followed over a year of negotiations, was led by Alexandros Metallinos, Partner, with the support of Regina Keramida (Associate).

We proudly announce that POTAMITISVEKRIS’ Banking, Finance & Capital Markets team represented Sunlight Group, a leading company in Greece in the field of energy storage systems, on the issuance of a €975mn common bond loan with the four systemic Greek banks as bondholders. The transaction was coordinated by Alexander Metallinos (Partner) assisted by Ivi Karra (Associate) and Amalia Giannakopoulou (Associate).

We proudly announce that we acted for Eurobank S.A. together with Milbank LLP and Ioannides Demetriou LLC for the purchase of a 26.1% stake in Hellenic Bank. Following completion of the transaction Eurobank has increased its holding in Hellenic Bank to 55.3%. Our involvement included legal support for the issuance of all required regulatory approvals and the submission of a takeover bid to the shareholders of Hellenic Bank. Partner Alexandros Metallinos advised Eurobank S.A. in relation to corporate and capital markets law matters, partner George Bersis assisted by associate Nikos Stefas advised on banking and regulatory law matters, and partner Dimitris Loukas advised on competition law matters.

We are delighted to announce that we acted as Greek legal counsel to Theon International Plc, a leading developer and manufacturer of customizable night vision and thermal imaging systems for military and security applications in Europe, in the listing of its shares on Euronext – Amsterdam. The listing was preceded by the successful private placement of new and existing shares of Theon International to eligible institutional investors in various jurisdictions, representing in total 20% of the company’s share capital, with total gross proceeds amounting to €140 million (market cap €700 million). Our team was led by Alexander Metallinos (Partner) and Maria Perifanou (Partner), supported by Eleana Baya (Senior Associate), Elena Theocharakou (Senior Associate) and Evangelia Natsi (Associate).

We are delighted to announce that we advised UniCredit S.p.A. in relation to its acquisition of 9% of the shares of Alpha Services and Holdings S.A. (Alpha), 100% parent of Alpha Bank S.A., from the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF) and the conclusion of a binding term sheet for the conclusion of a strategic partnership regarding the merger of the respective subsidiaries of the two banks in Romania, the acquisition of 51% of the shares in Alpha Life by UniCredit and the commercial partnership in the distribution of UniCredit bancassurance, asset management and other banking products by Alpha Bank.

This seminal transaction is extremely important for the Greek banking sector and the wider Greek economy because it constitutes the second successful divestment of HFSF from a Greek systemic bank signifying a major step to the return of the Greek banking sector to full private ownership and the first investment of a major international bank in a Greek bank after the financial crisis, which is seen as a vote of confidence in the Greek economy.

Partner Alexander Metallinos assisted by associate Amalia Giannakopoulou advised UniCredit.

POTAMITISVEKRIS is proud to announce that we advised Eurobank Holdings in a historic transaction – the conclusion of a conditional share purchase agreement to acquire its own shares in a directed share buy back from the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF).
Following completion of the transaction, which is subject, among others, to the conclusion of a competitive process launched by the HFSF, Eurobank will be the first Greek systemic bank since the global financial crisis of 2009 to exit the state support scheme.
The transaction is innovative in that it combines an unprecedented, direct share buy back in a listed company with the combination of the conclusion of a conditional share purchase agreement with a competitive process.
The first successful divestment of the HFSF marks a pivotal moment for the Greek banking industry and the Greek economy as a whole.
Partner Alexander Metallinos led the POTAMITISVEKRIS team assisted by associate Amalia Giannakopoulou.

To add the links to the announcement by HFSF

https://www.eurobankholdings.gr/en/grafeio-tupou/etairiki-anakoinosi-25-09-23/

POTAMITISVEKRIS are proud to announce that it has advised together with Milbank LLP, Ioannides Demetriou LLC Eurobank in the conclusion of a share purchase agreement whereby it has agreed to acquire a 17.3% stake in Hellenic Bank, the second largest bank in Cyprus. Following completion of the transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals, Eurobank will own 46.5% of the shares in Hellenic Bank and will be required by law to submit a mandatory tender offer for all remaining shares. Partner Alexander Metallinos is advising Eurobank in relation to corporate, banking and capital markets law matters, and partner Dimitris Loukas is advising on competition law matters.

Read more: Link

Partner Alexander Metallinos is advising a consortium of Sponsors on the Financing of the construction of a gas-fired combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant of a nominal capacity of 840 MW in Alexandroupolis.

Partner Alexander Metallinos, assisted by Senior Associate Elena Theocharakou and Associate Marialena Papageorgiou acted as Greek (local) legal counsel to Europe’s leading lottery operator with operations in multiple European countries, including Greece, in relation to the offering of €665 million in aggregate principal amount of 7¼% Senior Secured Notes due 2030 and $700 million in aggregate principal amount of 7⅞% Senior Secured Notes due 2029. The offering generated strong interest, with the orderbook being multiple times oversubscribed on both sides of the Atlantic.