Data remains one of the most undervalued assets, with most companies still failing to even include it as an asset on their balance sheet. Buyers and sellers who can recognise data assets and properly demonstrate how value can be extracted from them will be best placed for future M&A transactions. ...

The Equator Principles Association unveiled the finalised fourth version of the Equator Principles (EP4) on 18 November 2019. Set for an effective date of 1 July 2020, EP4 heightens requirements for designated OECD countries and tightens due diligence assessments with a greater focus on human rights, climate change and biodiversity. While there are many improvements and refinements from the draft we reviewed in June, the only potentially material change is a compromise on the 'free prior and informed consent' requirement for affected Indigenous communities. ...

The demand for plant-based 'meat' alternatives is predicted to grow. As with any new industry, there is a series of regulatory issues that businesses should carefully navigate at the early planning phase. This is to avoid encountering issues down the track that may affect the marketing and supply of such products in Australia. ...

The healthcare team at Allens reports on some key trends and sectors to look out for in 2020. ...

In response to the rapid growth of the e-payment market in Vietnam, the State Bank of Vietnam (the SBV) has reviewed the legal framework regulating the sector and proposed some important changes. In this Insight, we set out the key amendments the SBV has already issued – as well as those in the pipeline – and their potential impact on the intermediary payment services market. ...

Allens has acted on the sale and project financing of AGL Energy Limited's (AGL) 200-megawatt wind farm venture in western NSW – Silverton – into the Powering Australian Renewables Fund (PARF). The ...

Allens renewables financing team, led by Partner and Head of Project Finance, Michael Ryan and Senior Associate Lisa Zhou, have advised Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Clean Energy Finance ...

The RegTech Association, a first-of-its-kind industry body designed to promote Australia's growing regulatory technology industry, has launched with Allens as one of its corporate sponsors. Hosted ...

Allens has advised global IT services provider, Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), on the $427.6 million acquisition of UXC Ltd (UXC), Australia's largest publicly-owned IT services company. CSC ...

Allens has advised Bendigo and Adelaide Bank on its $300 million offer of Converting Preference Shares 4 ( CPS4 ), a hybrid security that will qualify as additional Tier 1 Capital for the Bank. The ...