Insight | Thought Leadership

Climate Adaptation Finance: Unlocking Private Finance

A New Collective Quantified Goal agreement at COP29 offers a great opportunity to expand the private sector's role. Read our report to understand its potential.
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The financial sector has shown great resilience in recent years, but financial markets now face increased volatility and uncertainty in light of geopolitical risk. Moreover, more lightly regulated non-bank financial intermediaries continue to increase their share of credit markets and equity investments. Against this backdrop, successful market participants are embracing new technologies that bring novel business models, products and services to the market, as well as responding to the challenges and risks they pose, such as over consumer protection and cybersecurity. Similarly, the sector has a key role in addressing environmental, social and governmental concerns, where there is the potential to benefit from the opportunities sustainable finance brings, while minimizing risks, such as greenwashing.

We provide financial institutions with sector-specific, pragmatic advice on licensing and supervisory regulation, fintech including cryptoassets, 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.

Visit InsightPlus for our latest legal updates covering Financial Institutions developments across the globe


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

Episode 33: Cloud Computing for Financial Institutions

In this episode, we look at cloud computing in financial institutions. Alessandro Celli (Partner, Zurich), Sue McLean (Partner, London) and Peter George (Partner, Chicago) discuss the global trends we are seeing with reference to Baker McKenzie's multi-jurisdiction Cloud Compliance Center.


Episode 32: Artificial Intelligence in Financial Institutions

In this episode about the impact of artificial intelligence on financial institutions, Bradford Newman, a partner in Baker McKenzie's Palo Alto Office and one of the leaders of the Firm’s North America AI practice talks to Richard Powell, global knowledge lead for financial institutions at Baker McKenzie.


Episode 31: Inclusion, Diversity and Equity in Financial Services

In this episode, members of Baker McKenzie’s Employment and Compensation group, Blair Robinson (Partner, New York) and Lorren Martin (Senior Associate, London) discuss the issues around IDE faced by financial institutions on both sides of the Atlantic and globally, with Rachel Farr, Senior Knowledge Lawyer.


Episode 30: EU Whistleblowing Directive: Key Takeaways for Financial Institutions

In this episode, Dr. Nicolai Behr (Partner, Munich), Lorren Martin (Senior Associate, London) and Lois Rodriguez Ares (Senior Associate, Madrid) take a closer look at the EU Whistleblowing Directive and the key takeaways for financial institutions. The episode also covers specific developments across different jurisdictions and other challenges that global employers need to consider for their respective organizations.


Special Edition - Solutions for a Connected World: Quantum Computing in the Finance Industry — Friend or Foe?

Quantum computing is still in its infancy, but most experts expect it to reach transformational powers in the next decade, bringing massive technological revolution but also new opportunities for early movers.

In this episode, Mark Simpson (Partner, London) is joined by Elena Strbac (Global Head of Data Science Innovation, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking, Standard Chartered) and Peter Chapman (President and CEO, IonQ) to explore how — and why — the finance sector is gearing up for this monumental shift.


Episode 28: The Year Ahead: Financial Institutions Trends in the Global Disputes Landscape 2023

In this episode, Jonathan Peddie, global chair of the Financial Institutions group and a partner from our London office and Amy Greer, co-chair of our North America Financial Regulation and Enforcement practice and a partner from our New York office, go through the findings relevant for financial institutions (FIs) from our new report The Year Ahead: Global Disputes Forecast 2023. The episode examines the expected types of disputes and the external risks for disputes throughout the rest of the year.


Episode 27: Fintech in South Africa and the Sub-Saharan African Region

The growth of the African fintech ecosystem is driven by the creation of value through solving real problems within large user markets, not just the availability of capital. In this episode of FInsight, Ashlin Perumall, a partner from our Corporate and M&A practice in Johannesburg, and Sarah Williams, an associate from our financial services practice in London, discuss the fintech landscape in South Africa and other key markets in Sub-Saharan Africa. They take a closer look at investment drivers and opportunities, current and emerging market segments, and key commercial and regulatory developments affecting the fintech ecosystem in the region.