Allen & Overy has advised Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC) on its proposed acquisition of 75.5 percent of the issued share capital of Tekstil Bankasi A.S (Tekstilbank) from GSD Holding A.S. (GSD Holding) for 669 million Turkish Liras (approximately USD316 million). Under Turkish capital markets law, the acquisition will trigger a post-closing mandatory tender offer for all remaining shares in Tekstilbank.

Tekstilbank, listed on Borsa Istanbul, is primarily engaged in corporate and commercial banking including SME and retail banking. GSD Holding, also listed on Borsa Istanbul, is the Turkish holding company of a group spanning financial services and shipping.

The transaction is subject to approval from GSD Holding's shareholders as well as Chinese and Turkish financial regulators, and the Competition Board of Turkey. Upon completion, ICBC will become the first Chinese bank to operate in Turkey, which ranks China as its third largest trading partner.

Commenting, partner Gary McLean said: “We are delighted to have been involved in this transaction which sees ICBC continuing on its path of expanding in markets across the globe. It plays well to our strengths given the cross-border nature of the deal and given our extensive experience in both China and Turkey.”

The Allen & Overy team was led by partners Gary McLean (Hong Kong), Jane Jiang (Beijing) and Gokhan Eraksoy (Istanbul), with support from senior associate Jinghua Zou and associates Xin Cheng and Catherine Liu in Hong Kong, associates Omer Sirin, Taylan Caliskan, Zeynep Saydi and Deniz Avci in Istanbul and senior associates James Burton and Steve Quinn in London.

Other law firms involved in the transaction: Turkish law firm Atim&Atim as counsel for GSD Holding.