Banking and Payments Regulation   

·       Advised a UK Bank on the successful repayment of its deposits, and completion of its solvent wind-down and de-authorisation process. This included providing extensive assistance to the firm in respect of its engagement with the PRA and FCA.

·       Advised a number of investment firms and third country bank branches on the solvent wind-down/exit of their business lines, subsequent de-authorisation processes and outstanding redress and remediation liabilities.

·       Advised credit institutions and investment firms on corporate restructurings, prudential consolidation queries and regulatory capital requirements, including for institutions subject to the ring-fenced bank regime.

·       Advised several credit institutions, authorised payment institutions and merchants on compliance with PSRs.

·       Advised a number of European Banks on their re-authorisation processes as third country branches in the UK following Brexit, and assistance with compliance with the UK’s temporary permissions and run-off regimes.

Consumer Finance

·       Advising a leading motor finance trade association on the implications of the Hopcraft Judgment ([2024] Johnson, Wrench & Hopcraft v FirstRand/Close Brothers) and its interaction with the FCA’s regulatory framework, including discretionary commission arrangements and broader impacts on members.

·       Advising a start-up peer-to-peer platform on the UK financial services regime, particularly in relation to consumer credit. Assisting with its full authorisation, and subsequent launch of its secondary marketplace.

·       Advising a UK-based lender and loan administrator in connection with a significant regulatory investigation and remediation project arising from a customer complaint in respect of their mortgage loan.

·       Advised an industry body on compensation claims linked to the British Steel pension redress scheme, which involved consideration of technical regulatory requirements.

Retail Wealth Sector

·       Advised a UK GSIB on the launch of new self-invested personal pension scheme propositions, including advice on regulatory structuring aspects, documentation and compliance with conduct requirements.

·       Advised a UK GSIB on the establishment of its new retail investment management platform, including providing assistance on the creation and launch of its new Model Portfolio Service, related advisory services and the migration of a back-book of customers and products across investment platforms.

·       Advising a wealth management firm on the integration of its two existing regulated investment firms in the UK, and related business transformation project (involving consideration of customer documentation, migration of customers, Consumer Duty requirements, prudential, remuneration and SMCR considerations).

·       Advised the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Central banks in a number of jurisdictions on the creation of crowdfunding regimes within their existing legal/regulatory framework.

·       Worked closely with a range of firms, including Banks and asset managers on the implementation of the FCA's Consumer Duty, including the production of a Consumer Duty Toolkit for firms.

Financial Services Regulation

·       Advice to retail and wholesale firms on UK financial services law and regulatory requirements, including MIFID II requirements on investor protection measures, product governance, costs and charges, inducements, conflicts of interests, investment advice, and broader UK regulatory requirements relating to investment business.

·       Advised credit institutions and investment firms on corporate governance related matters, including undertaking internal reviews and advising on compliance with the Senior Managers and Certification Regime.

·       Advising on several transactions relating to the acquisition of financial services firms and/or products/services across retail and wholesale market sectors, and related white-label trading arrangements.

·       Advised several domestic and international banks on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) requirements, including drafting AML/CTF policies and providing advice on cross border business.