Francesco Balestra
Biography
Overview
Francesco Balestra is a US qualified member of the White & Case Italian practice. His main areas of practice are Corporate M&A, Private Equity and Capital Markets. Prior to joining White & Case in January 2022 Francesco practiced white collar in a leading Italian boutique firm in Milan. After obtaining a JD in the United States he worked for an American law firm based in Miami on federal compliance matters.
Experience
I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.p.A. and its controlling shareholders in connection with an investment from BDT & MSD Partners. BDT & MSD Partners acquires its stake from international private equity fund BC Partners. The Vacchi family remains the majority owner of the IMA holding company.
Valmet Corporation, a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, in connection with its €380 million acquisition of Körber's Group's Business Area Tissue. The Business Area Tissue specializes in innovative converting and packaging technologies and services for the tissue industry.
Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. in connection with a US$2.75 billion Yankee bonds issuance under its US$50 billion MTN Programme. The issuance consists of (i) US$1.5 billion 7.778% fixed rate resettable unsubordinated non-preferred notes due 2054 and (ii) US$1.25 billion 6.625% unsubordinated preferred notes due 2033, offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the US Securities Act.
Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A. in connection with a US$2 billion yankee bonds issuance under its recently updated US$50 billion MTN Programme. The issuance consists of (i) US$750 million 7.000% unsubordinated preferred notes due 2025 and (ii) US$1.25 billion 8.248% fixed rate resettable unsubordinated non-preferred notes due 2033, offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the US Securities Act.
Enel Group in connection with a US$4 billion issuance of yankee bonds. The issuance consists of (i) US$1 billion 7.100% notes due 2027, issued by Enel Finance America LLC and (ii) US$750 million 6.800% notes due 2025, (iii) US$1.250 billion 7.500% notes due 2032 and (iv) US$1 billion 7.750% notes due 2052, all issued by Enel Finance International NV, offered and sold pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the US Securities Act.
