Guy Lethbridge

Guy is the National Practice Group Chair for Russell McVeagh's Banking and Finance team and specialises in debt capital markets and the regulation of banks and other financial institutions. 

He advises on debt and hybrid issuances, covered bonds, securitisation, derivatives, regulatory capital instruments, NZX listing rules and regulatory issues affecting banks and other financial institutions. Guy also advises borrowers and lenders on a wide range of corporate finance facilities.

A partner since 2004, Guy acts for New Zealand and international corporate and banking clients. He has a wealth of banking and finance experience gained from both New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Guy has advised his clients on a range of complex financial matters, including:

• ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Heartland Bank, Kiwibank, IAG, Suncorp and Westpac on their regulatory capital issues.
• ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Kiwibank on the establishment of their covered bond programmes and the issuance under those programmes.
• Retail and wholesale bond issues for ANZ, BNZ, Infratil, Meridian Energy, New Zealand Post, NZX, Spark, The Warehouse and WEL Networks.
• NZBA and participating banks on the $6.25 billion business finance guarantee scheme provided to support businesses affected by COVID-19.
• MBIE on a range of financing structures to provide funding to borrowers as part of the $3.5 billion Provincial Growth Fund.
• New Zealand Post on the uncalled capital facility with its shareholding Ministers.
• Kiwibank on the investment in the bank and related entities by ACC and NZ Superannuation Fund.
• Spark on the liability management aspects of its demerger.

LLB (Hons), BA, University of Otago.

Guy became a partner at Russell McVeagh in 2004. He was admitted to practice in England and Wales in 1997 and spent a number of years practising in the United Kingdom. Guy was admitted to practise in New Zealand in 1991.

Guy is recognised across all the key legal directories as a top ranking lawyer in Banking and Finance, including the Chambers and Partners 2023 Guide - named an Eminent Practitioner, and the only Banking and Finance lawyer in New Zealand to have achieved this; the Legal 500 2022 Guide - named in the Hall of Fame; Asialaw Profiles; and Who's Who Legal.

Guy was awarded 'Lawyer of the Year' in Banking and Finance Law by the Best Lawyers® 2020 New Zealand Guide, and is recognised by the Best Lawyers® 2024 Guide in Banking and Finance Law and Capital Markets Law. Guy was awarded 'Lawyer of the Year' for Banking in New Zealand at the 2015 ILO Client Choice Awards. AsiaLaw Profiles 2022 recognise Guy as a Distinguished Practitioner in Banking and Finance Law, and Expert Guides 2019 named him as being 'Best of the Best'.