Banking and finance

Our practice

Regulatory

We advise and represent Swiss and foreign banks, securities houses, insurance companies, collective investment schemes promoters and managers as well as asset managers in all regulatory matters including authorization, notification or enforcement procedures before the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) as well as other authorities.

Anti-money laundering regulations

We regularly assist financial intermediaries in identifying, assessing and managing the risks associated with money laundering and terrorist financing. Our expertise in business law, in particular in the area of tax, allows us to provide expert opinions on compliance issues, in particular regarding the reporting obligations with the Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS).

Contracts

We assist banks, securities dealers, insurance companies, collective investment schemes promoters and managers as well as independent asset managers in the drafting and review of contractual documents (e.g. in relation to asset management, custody, derivatives, financing, repos, securities lending, general terms and conditions).

We also issue legal opinions on the validity and the enforceability of contractual documents in banking and financial matters (including collateral and netting opinions).

Precious metals

We advise and represent our clients for regulatory and legal matters relating to precious metals.

Collective Investment Schemes and Pension funds

We advise and represent financial institutions and investors in relation to the legal aspects of Swiss and foreign collective investment schemes, including authorisation and registration procedures before the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). We also have expertise with respect to the legal aspects of pension funds, including the management of their assets.

Insurance

We advise our clients on the regulatory aspects of insurance activities, including on the licensing requirements for risk transfer activities.

Capital Markets

We advise and represent securities houses, trading platforms and issuers on capital market matters, including shareholding disclosures, rules of conduct and market abuses.

Internal investigations

We perform internal investigations on behalf of banks and other regulated financial institutions in relation to potential regulatory breaches.

Banking and financial regulation

We advise and represent clients in proceedings before Swiss state courts, as well as in foreign jurisdictions in collaboration with local counsel.

We represent clients before criminal authorities for white collar crimes matters.

We also advise and represent financial institutions in the context of cross-border financial litigation, including on issues relating to foreign discovery and international mutual legal assistance.