Financial Services & Regulation

With the financial services industry undergoing sweeping regulatory reform, we help clients comply with these new rules and stay abreast of ongoing developments using our long experience in the industry and strong working relationships with financial regulators. We provide expert guidance in the following areas:

Establishment: We advise on the set up and structuring of financial intermediaries entering the banking, securities, insurance and funds industries, as well as those expanding their business operations. This service includes obtaining authorizations, advising on legal and regulatory issues related to business operations, liaising with regulators, and preparing and adapting the necessary policies, manuals and client documentation.

Product development: We advise on drafting and delivery methods of new product launches and sales platforms. We prepare offer documents, as well as draft and review customer terms and conditions, distribution agreements and custody agreements. We also advise on marketing and selling restrictions in relevant jurisdictions.

Ongoing business operations: We advise financial institutions on corporate governance,  internal controls requirements,  and transaction and regulatory reporting structures such as anti-money laundering policies. We advise on the duties of financial intermediaries and how to manage conflicts of interest, as well as market manipulation regulation, insider dealing laws and requirements for disclosing securities interests.

Contentious matters: We represent financial institutions in regulatory enquiries, investigations, compliance infringements and enforcement actions. We assist with notices of appointment of investigators, documentation requirements, interviews and meetings with regulatory bodies, responses to alleged regulatory breaches, and managing relationships with enforcement authorities.