The CMS Financial Services Sector Group provides specialist advice on the regulation of financial institutions and financial services. 

Services

Financial institutions in Europe operate in a complex regulatory environment based on extensive EU legislation. We advise on international, European and national legislation (and self-regulatory codes) regulating financial institutions and financial services including all aspects of the regulatory regime for banks, insurers and investment services. The Sector Group undertakes a wide range of assignments where regulation is important including: 
 

• advising on the establishment, structuring and authorisation of financial services companies
• the design of financial services products including the drafting of product literature, terms of business and other contractual documentation and advice on regulatory compliance
• corporate transactions involving regulated businesses including acquisitions and disposals, joint ventures including the structuring of transactions to obtain necessary regulatory approvals and compliance with a range of regulatory requirements including capital adequacy
• advice to governments and regulators on legislation and new regulations for financial services
• structuring of distribution for financial services particularly in the retail sector including internet trading and cross-border distribution
• advice on the structuring of financial institutions including those operating under banking, insurance, ISD, e-commerce and insurance mediation passports
• establishing investment funds
• advising and designing compliance procedures including regulatory requirements in relation to systems and controls
• carrying out compliance reviews and investigations
• representing clients during enforcement and disciplinary proceedings brought by financial services regulators (including negotiating settlements and remedial programmes/compensation) and in relation to other prosecutions (insider dealing, money laundering)
• representing financial institutions in litigation and in relation to claims, including class actions by consumers
  

Clients

Type of clients include:

• retail and wholesale banks and saving banks
• investment and private banks
• investment services entities
• financial credit institutions
• fund managers - wholesale and retail investment funds
• general and life insurers
• insurance brokers and intermediaries
• custodians, clearing companies and outsource providers