Profile

Zhi Chao is a partner in the banking and finance team. Dual qualified in Singapore and English law, he specialises in structured commodity and trade finance, acting for both banks and borrowers. His practice also encompasses sustainability-linked finance, leveraged finance, Islamic finance and real estate finance.

With a strong background in advising both lenders and corporates on the full spectrum of financing transactions, Zhi Chao has been involved in numerous significant cross-border deals with multi-jurisdictional elements. Known by clients across South East Asia for both his business and legal acumen, he is adept at communicating effectively with commercial parties and legal practitioners alike, consistently delivering commercially-minded solutions on complex and high-value transactions.

In 2023 Singapore Business Review, the leading magazine serving the country's business community, recognised Zhi Chao as one of Singapore's 30 most influential young lawyers under the age of 40. He has also been acknowledged for his expertise by The Legal 500.

Prior to joining Penningtons Manches Cooper in 2025, Zhi Chao was a partner at two other Singapore-based law firms.