McGuireWoods was nominated for the International Financial Law Review’s debt and equity-linked “Deal of Year” for its role advising Bank of America in the issuance of a groundbreaking corporate social bond to support the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The deal was among the debt and equity-linked transactions named to the shortlist in the IFLR Americas Awards 2021.
The awards recognize the most innovative cross-border transactions that closed in 2020, spotlighting deals that broke new legal ground, introduced novel structures and instruments, and set useful precedents for cross-border deal-making.
McGuireWoods’ securities and capital markets lawyers advised Bank of America in its issuance of a $1 billion corporate social bond to combat COVID-19 — the first such offering by a U.S. commercial bank. Proceeds from the offering are allocated to healthcare industry lending from Bank of America’s Global Commercial Bank, specifically not-for-profit hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and manufacturers of healthcare equipment and supplies.
“We were proud to assist Bank of America in this important effort, and we are grateful to be recognized for that work,” said Richard W. Viola, deputy managing partner of the firm’s corporate practice.
One of the world’s pre-eminent banking and finance law firms, McGuireWoods has distinguished itself with creative approaches to helping clients navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Law360 cited the firm’s role in the Bank of America social bond as one example of the firm’s industry-leading work when it named McGuireWoods a Banking Practice Group of the Year for 2020.
In addition, the firm consistently ranks among the leaders for advising corporate issuers and underwriters in U.S. capital markets transactions and has earned global recognition for its work representing clients in corporate and securities matters.