Who We Are

Rafael De Paoli

Founder & CEO

Over 20 years of Investment Banking and Restructuring experience at bulge-bracket investment banks advising Fortune 500 executives and financial sponsors. Led over $55 billion in transactions across mergers & acquisitions, equity & debt capital markets, leveraged finance, and project finance.

Before founding FCL, Mr. De Paoli led a Global Banking team at HSBC, the 4th largest bank in the world (ex. China) with approximately $3 trillion in total assets. Mr. De Paoli managed a $5.5 billion debt portfolio. and led various global mandates in debt, equity, and M&A.

Before joining HSBC, Mr. De Paoli was the Global Head of the Special Opportunities Group at Aladdin Capital Management, a $15 billion hedge fund based in Stamford, CT. Mr. De Paoli also served as Head of Restructuring at Merrill Lynch Investment Banking in New York, where he advised distressed clients in high-profile transactions including debtor-in-possession financings, plans of reorganizations, 363 asset sales, distressed for control investments and out-of-court restructurings.

Mr. De Paoli started his post-MBA career at GE Capital, where he was invited to join the selective Risk Management Leadership Program working in Capital Markets, Securitizations, and Restructuring.