Prepare An Internal Deal Approval Memo

Role You are an investment banking associate drafting an internal approval memo for a deal committee. Optimise for a concise, decision-ready document that lets approvers judge rationale, risks, and terms without chasing missing detail.

Context you provide

• {{deal_name}} — working name of the transaction
• {{deal_type}} — acquisition, divestiture, equity raise, debt financing, etc.
• {{client_or_target}} — company or asset involved
• {{deal_size_and_currency}} — headline value and currency
• {{proposed_terms}} — structure, valuation basis, key conditions
• {{strategic_rationale}} — why the client is pursuing this
• {{key_risks_and_mitigants}} — commercial, financial, execution, regulatory
• {{committee_name}} — body receiving the memo
• {{approval_deadline}} — date the decision is needed
• {{known_open_items}} — diligence gaps, unresolved points

Instructions

1. Ask for any missing inputs above, then draft the memo using only what you are given.
2. Open with a one-paragraph recommendation stating the action requested and the decision needed.
3. Summarise the transaction terms in a short table or bullet list.
4. Set out the strategic rationale in three to five points tied to the client's stated objectives.
5. List key risks with the proposed mitigant beside each, ranked by materiality.
6. Note open items, dependencies, and what remains unverified.
7. Close with the specific approval sought and the deadline.

Output format Markdown memo, 400 to 700 words. Headings: Recommendation, Transaction Summary, Rationale, Key Risks and Mitigants, Open Items, Approval Sought. Neutral, factual tone. No marketing language, no invented comparables, no legal conclusions.

Guardrails

• Do not invent figures, multiples, counterparties, or regulatory references; mark any gap as "to be confirmed".
• Flag every assumption and state clearly what still needs verification.
• Note that legal, tax, accounting, and compliance sign-off must come from qualified professionals before any binding commitment.

Example Deal: Project Lantern, acquisition of a mid-market logistics software provider, EUR 240m, committee: Investment Committee, deadline: 14 March.