Finland’s IPO, share issue and bond markets remained lively in 2018. We are pleased that issuers and other parties seeking financing placed their trust in the expertise of our Capital Markets and Banking & Finance teams.
14.2.2019
Busy and Multifaceted 2018 for Castrén & Snellman Capital Markets and Banking & Finance Teams
Janne Lauha, Sakari Lukinmaa & Tero Tuomisto
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We maintained our position as one of the leading firms in the field and were involved in the year’s most important arrangements, such as IPOs, transactions in the financial sector, structurings and the largest real estate transactions on the market.
Our Capital Markets team was kept busy in 2018 by the following assignments:
We have Finland’s largest and most closely integrated Capital Markets team, with expertise that extends from issues to regulatory advice and transactions in the financial sector. Partners Merja Kivelä and Janne Lauha are renowned as long-time experts in the industry. We appointed two senior associates in 2018, Hannu Huotilainen and Aksu Tuominen. Our team also includes senior associate Anna-Maarit Laurila, associates Viola Valtanen and Lauri Liljavirta and associate trainee Julian Lagus. Furthermore, we just appointed veteran regulatory expert Sami Lommi as Counsel in our team. Sami joins us from Folksam Non-Life Insurance Company, where he has served as member of the management team in charge of legal affairs, HR and Internal Services.
Our Banking & Finance team was involved in the following arrangements in 2018, among others:
Our experienced Banking & Finance team is led by partner Tero Tuomisto together with partner Sakari Lukinmaa. They are assisted by senior associates Mariella Både-Landell and Niko Johansson as well as associates Sonja Hänninen, Juhani Lautjärvi and Henri Kaasalainen. Our team also gained new members in counsel Minna Korhonen, who joined us in October, and associate Valtteri Jalo from the start of the year. Additional hires have already been agreed, and our team is set to grow further this year.
The wide range of our assignments and the strategic planning sessions we engage in with our clients are indicators of the scope of our expertise and the market’s faith in us. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and will venture into 2019 with the same spark and dedication to our work while continuing to develop our expertise.
Despite the volatile market conditions, our books are already filling up for 2019, and the year is looking promising.
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Latest references
Special investment fund managed by Mandatum – Sale of PMK Building
We advised a special investment fund managed by Mandatum on the sale of the PMK Building, a mixed-use commercial property located in Tammela, Tampere. The property hosts dozens of tenants and offers, inter alia, warehouse, production and office premises.
Case published 13.7.2026
Suominen Corporation – Rights Issue
We advised Suominen Corporation in connection with its rights issue. The offering was oversubscribed, and the company raised gross proceeds of approximately EUR 28 million. We also advised Suominen in connection with the renegotiation of the terms of the company’s three-year EUR 100 million syndicated credit facility, under which the maturity was extended and headroom was added to the financial covenants. “I would like to thank our shareholders for their support and confidence in Suominen’s future. The completion of the Offering will enable us to accelerate the implementation of our Full Potential Program while strengthening our capital structure. Our transformation particularly focuses on enhancing the reliability and efficiency of our production and supply, and on reinforcing our commercial capabilities, allowing us to better meet the expectations of our customers and shareholders”, comments Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Suominen. Suominen is a nonwovens manufacturer operating in global markets. Suominen creates value by taking fiber raw materials and turning them into nonwovens that the company’s customers convert into both consumer and professional end products. Suominen’s vision is to be the frontrunner for nonwovens innovation and sustainability. Suominen’s net sales in 2025 were EUR 412.4 million and the company has almost 700 professionals working in Europe and in the Americas. Suominen’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
Case published 6.7.2026
Nordea Bank Abp and Avain Yhtiöt – A financing arrangement of a real estate portfolio
We acted as joint legal advisor for Nordea Bank Abp and Avain Yhtiöt in an approximately EUR 48 million financing arrangement which included facilities for refinancing of an existing real estate portfolio and also for acquisition and property development purposes. The financing arrangement strengthens Avain Yhtiöt’s objective to build and maintain a functional, safe and environmentally friendly living environment, as well as to develop the overall quality of housing and construction. Avain Yhtiöt is a Finnish group specialising in housing and housing-related services, construction contracting and new construction. Its goal is to build 1,000 new apartments per year in key growth areas in Finland.
Case published 2.7.2026
Shareholders – Sale of the Suomen Autohuolto Group
We advised the shareholders of Suomen Autohuolto Oy in connection with the sale of the company’s entire share capital, to SAKA Finland Group Oy. Suomen Autohuolto Group is one of Finland’s largest companies specializing in brand-specific automotive maintenance and has locations in Oulu, Tampere, and from July, also in Järvenpää. The transaction is subject to final approval by the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV).
Case published 26.6.2026