Underwriting Syndicated Loansin the Russian Market

This article presents an overview of the international syndicated loans market for Russian corporate borrowers. There is a focus on underwriting services provided by banks and the syndications process. The advantages of syndicated loans for borrowers and banks are discussed, as well as the type of deals that are prevalent in the Russian market (underwritten deal, best-efforts syndication, club deal). The main instruments of the market and the corresponding purposes of raising the financing are discussed, including bridge loans, term loans, and pre-export finance facilities. The key structural elements of syndicated loans, including security and financial covenants are discussed. The typical transaction schedule for a syndicated loan is presented, with an overview of the key steps of the process: appointing banks, syndicating the loan in the international market, closing the transaction. We then proceed to discuss the role of underwriting in syndicated lending, including the economics of underwriting and the risks facing the banks. An overview of the approval process for underwriting is presented, with a discussion of two important documents: the underwriting memo and the underwriting commitment letter. In conclusion, we discuss the trends and perspective of underwriting in the dynamic Russian syndicated lending market and the requirements for a successful transaction.

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