Hamburg Commercial Bank closes first transaction in the Global Aviation Sector

• HCOB provides US$70 million in syndicated portfolio financing for a US-based mid-life aircraft leasing company
• Debbie Frew and Christophe Beaubron join HCOB’s global aviation business

Hamburg Commercial Bank (HCOB) is pleased to announce the successful closing of its first aviation transaction with a US$70 million commitment in a US$337 million limited recourse syndicated portfolio financing for a US-based lessor of mid-life aircraft and engines.

In addition, HCOB has added two senior industry professionals as part of the build out of its global aviation business. Debbie Frew joins as Managing Director located in London, and Christophe Beaubron joins as Head of Underwriting, based in Luxembourg. Frew was previously with Deutsche Bank for over 14 years and was most recently Head of Aviation and Land Transportation EMEA. Beaubron was previously Head of Credit at GECAS for Europe and Canada for 6 years and prior to that was Head of Credit at PK AirFinance for 16 years.

Richard Moody, Head of Global Aviation at Hamburg Commercial Bank said: “We launched the business in October 2023 from scratch and to be able to have closed our first transaction in just a few months reflects the strong commitment of the bank and its internal stakeholders with this new initiative. We are also delighted to have Debbie and Christophe join the business and they will both be instrumental in developing our platform. Their deep experience in structured finance and capital markets will enable us to service clients across a wide range of products across the broader aviation eco-system.”  

HCOB’s Global Aviation segment has been established as an important part of the bank’s business diversification strategy and to provide financing to support lessors, airlines and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) with structured asset-backed and corporate financing solutions. The business will also finance across the aviation and aerospace sectors including flight training, airport ground handling, slots, gates, maintenance facilities, and aviation supply chains and will also selectively invest in capital markets products.