Financial Regulatory
The ongoing financial regulatory reform is having a significant impact on how financial institutions conduct business, and how financial markets operate. Regulatory changes generally impact multiple parts of your business and potentially, in multiple jurisdictions. While these reforms can present challenges due to their (often complex) nature, they can ultimately lead to risk reduction, more stability and even new cross-border business opportunities by introducing third country and passporting regimes.

News

Staying up to date
Digital Economy
Digital transformation is all about using the latest technology to improve your business model. Digital technology creates new business opportunities which in turn creates a whole new range of tax and legal challenges such as contracting, data protection, privacy questions, intellectual property, consumer protection and competition issues.
Over the past few weeks, we have discussed the main changes to Belgian consumer law resulting from the implementation of the so-called Digital Sales Directive and Omnibus Directive.
ESG & Sustainable Investment
Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor in the decisions of investors, companies, consumers, shareholders and policy- and lawmakers. The broadly supported awareness for the Environmental Social and Governance (‘ESG’) objectives is reflected in many international voluntary standards as well as in an increasing number of European regulations to mobilise financing for sustainable growth.
Over the past years, international attention for sustainability and responsible business has increased. As a result, environmental, social and governance (ESG) topics have gained a prominent position
Substance & Tax Law
In recent years tax authorities have placed more emphasis on combatting the use of abusive and aggressive tax structures by companies operating across borders, to ensure fair taxation.
The European Commission recently issued a new proposal (ATAD 3). It is highly recommended that taxpayers assess the possible impact of the proposal and consider opportunities for strengthening their local footprint and/or restructuring.
In a Decree of 8 July 2022 the State Secretary of Finance withdraws the approval for the application of the exemption method for board member and supervisory board member fees.
How we can help
Timely and pragmatic advice
We have a well-established practice with extensive experience in assisting and advising players in the financial sector e.g., banks, investment firms, payment institutions, insurance companies, pension funds, fund managers and other financial service providers. We leverage this experience providing contextual, bespoke advice. Timely and pragmatic advice regarding regulatory issues is a cornerstone of our practice.
Strategic regulatory advice with a clear roadmap
As a business in the financial services industry, you are constantly integrating legal and regulatory change. You are therefore looking for strategic regulatory advice with a clear roadmap for implementation. We help to provide this clarity by assessing the evolving regulatory landscape and understanding each client’s business.
Integrated approach
By combining financial regulatory expertise, transactional skills, and tax knowledge, we can enable your success in the changing financial landscape. Our broad local and international networks and strong relationships with supervisory bodies can support your needs.
Full-service support
You can count on our assistance for:
- guidance and advice on the impact of current and future legislation on, for example, market access, development of products, services, and business operations
- the preparation and filing of license applications, notifications, and registrations with financial regulatory supervisors
- advice on and structuring of the regulatory aspects of acquisitions and other transactions in the financial sector
- guidance and assistance in respect of investigations by supervisory bodies
- drafting and review of internal and client documentation
Supporting your projects
Designing a project to implement regulatory change or analyse the scope of implementation can be a challenge. By making us part of the project team or introducing us as a subject-matter escalation point, we can provide the appropriate legal support. You will then benefit from our firm-wide experience and expertise in our home markets in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland and the understanding of nuances in each jurisdiction.