Financial Institutions

The financial sector is being transformed by the mega-trends of ESG concerns and new technology that have received added increased impetus from the COVID-19 crisis. Financial institutions must adapt their business models in response to the resulting new competitive, regulatory and societal demands now placed upon them. At the same time, the move to increasing regulatory scrutiny seen since the global financial crisis of 2008 continues unabated with the role played by international standard setting bodies growing in importance. Meanwhile, more lightly regulated non-bank financial intermediaries continue to increase their share of credit markets and equity investments.

We provide financial institutions with sector-specific, pragmatic advice on licensing and supervisory regulation, tax structuring, M&A and joint ventures, intellectual property protection, technology, outsourcing, real estate portfolio management, global and local employment, pensions, compliance and investigations, financial crime and dispute resolution. Our deep roots in all major financial centers and extensive coverage of other markets in Asia, EMEA and the Americas enable us to provide a global, integrated and cost-effective service.

For more episodes, please visit FInsight: Global Financial Institutions Industry Podcast

VISIT FINSIGHT

Episode 20: Investment Profile and Tax Focus Areas for Sovereign Wealth Funds

In the aftermath of COVID-19 and the resulting low-yielding environment, sovereign actors are looking more than ever to real estate, infrastructure, private equity, private debt and other alternative assets for strategic investment opportunities.

In this first of two episodes, Baker McKenzie partners Pat McDonald (Chicago), James Burdett (London), Matt Legg (London), Guillaume Le Camus (Paris) and Diogo Duarte de Oliveira (Luxembourg) take a close look at sovereign wealth funds — our current observations of our SWF clients' approach to tax governance and structuring. Our team examines the investment activities of sovereign players in the post-GFC and pandemic environment, and their areas of tax focus in M&A scenarios, including investing in the US.

Episode 19: Crypto around the World (Part 2)

Taking off from the guide Crypto around the World, the second of two episodes takes a closer look at market abuse, sustainability, decentralized finance and future developments. Sue McLean, a partner in our London office, talks to the team that started this project: Iris Barsan, counsel from our Paris office; Julian Hui, associate from our London office; and Chris Murrer, a US attorney in our Zurich office. They also cover specific regulatory and policy considerations, as well as the future impact of central bank digital currencies.

Episode 18: Litigation Readiness for Financial Institutions

Financial institutions (FIs) surveyed by Baker McKenzie spent an average of USD 272 million each on litigation in 2020 — higher than any other industry — but their readiness strategies may not be keeping up with the scale of the challenge they face.

In this episode of FInsight, Baker McKenzie partners Daniela Fonseca Puggina from our Miami office and Jennifer Semko from our Washington, D.C. office discuss litigation readiness for financial institutions. The episode also covers potential vulnerabilities and disputes that they need to prepare for, current and emerging trends in litigation (from our Litigation Intelligence Tool and Report), and how they can benefit from litigation preparedness.