Practice 01
Banking and finance
Legal support for lending, security and relationships with banks and financial institutions — for lenders and borrowers alike.
A loan is a contract — and is managed as one.
Banking law is at the core of Alexander Tcherpokov's practice. We advise and represent non-bank lenders, leasing companies and businesses that use bank finance, as well as individuals with mortgage and consumer loans.
We work across the whole life of a loan: negotiating terms, creating security, annexes and refinancing — and, when the relationship deteriorates, renegotiation, restructuring and litigation.
Because we know both the lender's and the borrower's position, we see the risks in a contract before they become a dispute.
What we handle
Loan agreements
Review and negotiation of investment, working-capital, mortgage and consumer loans; analysis of interest, fees and penalties.
Security
Mortgages, special pledges, financial collateral, guarantees and bank guarantees — creation, substitution and release.
Leasing
Finance and operating leases; disputes over non-payment, repossession and termination.
Refinancing
Negotiating refinancing and consolidation of debt on better terms.
Non-bank lenders
Ongoing legal support: standard contracts, general terms, internal rules and collections.
Disputes with banks
Unfair terms, unilateral interest changes, amounts paid without cause, fees and commissions.
Assignments
Transfer and acquisition of receivables and loan portfolios; the debtor's rights on assignment.
Euro conversion
The effect of the euro changeover on contracts, interest, repayment schedules and security.
How an engagement runs
- 01
Document review
Agreement, annexes, repayment schedule, general terms and correspondence with the lender.
- 02
Legal assessment
Are the terms valid, are interest and fees correctly charged, what are the risks and deadlines?
- 03
Negotiation
We propose a solution — an annex, rescheduling, refinancing or settlement.
- 04
Litigation
If negotiation fails, we take the case through every instance.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
01Can the bank change my loan's interest rate unilaterally?
Only on clear terms agreed in advance. For consumer and mortgage loans, a variable rate must follow an objective, verifiable reference index, and terms that let the bank change it at its own discretion may be declared unfair. The answer depends on the specific contract — which is why we start by reviewing it.
02What is loan acceleration?
The lender's right to demand the entire outstanding balance at once if the borrower defaults. Under binding case law, acceleration must be declared to the borrower before the lender goes to court.
03Can I repay my loan early?
Yes. A consumer may repay a loan in full or in part at any time. The lender may be entitled to compensation for its costs, but the law caps it, and in some cases — for example during a period with a non-fixed interest rate — no compensation is due.
04Do you act for both lenders and borrowers?
Yes, but never in the same matter. Before taking a case, we check for conflicts of interest.
Related
Related practice areas
Distressed loans and restructuring
When repayments become unmanageable: renegotiation, rescheduling, refinancing and defence against acceleration and assignment.
Learn more
Enforcement and debt recovery
Debt recovery and defence in enforcement proceedings — asset tracing, interim measures, garnishments and attachments.
Learn more
Litigation and arbitration
Court representation before every court in Bulgaria — including both Supreme Courts — and before competition and consumer authorities and arbitral tribunals.
Learn more
Consultation
Tell us about your case.
Describe the matter briefly — we will contact you to arrange a meeting. If a deadline is about to expire, call directly.