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.
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 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…
In this episode of FInsight, London partners Sue McLean, Mark Simpson, and David Hart talk about UK Fintech Week 2022. They cover the biggest trends and developments around fintech in the UK, with special focus on the expected topics throughout the event. The episode takes a closer look at the investment landscape (including the UK’s position as a fintech hub, active investors and top sub-sectors) and the current and expected regulatory developments that fintech players…
In this episode of FInsight and part of the on-going Sovereigns Series: Worlds in Motion, Pete Chapman and Lucy Shawdon from our Compliance and Investigations team in London take a look at compliance in a changing landscape, specifically in the context of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs). The episode goes through current developments, emerging trends, risks, and other important items that sovereign wealth funds need to consider, as we move to the post-pandemic economy. It also…
Baker McKenzie’s fifth annual report, The Year Ahead: Global Disputes Forecast 2022, addresses key trends in the evolving disputes landscape. The report includes a new survey of 600 senior legal and risk leaders from large companies across the world. Amy Greer, a partner from our New York office and co-chair of our North America Financial Regulation and Enforcement practice, and Marc Thorley, a partner from our Dispute Resolution practice in London, talk about the key…
In the latest iteration of our Digital Transformation and Cloud Survey, financial institutions (FIs) identify cost reduction and increased security as top benefits from investment in cloud computing. Conversely, data privacy and cybersecurity issues are identified as top concerns. In this episode, Alessandro Celli, a partner from our Zurich office and global fintech lead, talk to Peter R. George, a partner from our Chicago office who is familiar with the history of the survey and…
In the aftermath of COVID-19 and the resulting low-yielding environment, sovereign actors are looking more than ever to real estate, infrastructure, private equity, private debt and other alternative assets for strategic investment opportunities. In this second of two episodes, Baker McKenzie partners James Burdett (London), Matthew Legg (London), Guillaume Le Camus (Paris) and Diogo Duarte de Oliveira (Luxembourg) take a close look at sovereign wealth funds — our current observations of our SWF clients’ approach…
In this episode of FInsight, Andrew Hedges and Kay She from Baker McKenzie’s EMI group in London discuss their experience and observations while on the ground in Glasgow. They cover business imperatives and challenges affecting the global economy and how sovereign wealth funds are well-positioned to influence and make an impact on broader sustainability goals and action plans. As discussions on climate-related issues evolve from commitments to execution in the recent COP26 UN Climate Change…
In the aftermath of COVID-19 and the resulting low-yielding environment, sovereign actors are looking more than ever to real estate, infrastructure, private equity, private debt and other alternative assets for strategic investment opportunities. In this first of two episodes, Baker McKenzie partners James Burdett (London), Matthew Legg (London), Guillaume Le Camus (Paris) and Diogo Duarte de Oliveira (Luxembourg) take a close look at sovereign wealth funds — our current observations of our SWF clients’ approach…
Taking off from the guide Crypto around the World, the second of two episodes takes a closer look at market abuse, sustainability, decentralized finance and future developments. Sue McLean, a partner in our London office, talks to the team that started this project. They also cover specific regulatory and policy considerations, as well as the future impact of central bank digital currencies.
Financial institutions (FIs) surveyed by Baker McKenzie spent an average of USD 272 million each on litigation in 2020 — higher than any other industry — but their readiness strategies may not be keeping up with the scale of the challenge they face. In this episode of FInsight, Baker McKenzie partners Daniela Fonseca Puggina from our Miami office and Jennifer Semko from our Washington, D.C. office discuss litigation readiness for financial institutions. The episode also…
Investment treaties expose sovereigns to significant liability if the rights of foreign investors are encroached on. At the same time, these treaties also grant powerful protections and direct claims to sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) — when they act as foreign investors in other states. In this episode, Andy Moody, partner and head of the dispute resolution practice in London, and Katia Finkel, senior associate in the same practice in London, cover recent examples of SWFs…
Fraud poses a particular threat to sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) due to the vast sums of money they invest. They also have a higher risk profile when compared to other funds, with high stakes both politically and financially. In this episode, Charles Thomson and Henry Garfield, partners in Baker McKenzie’s dispute resolution practice in London, talk to Kate Geale about recent developments, legal issues, practical tips, and strategies around cross-border fraud and asset tracing in…
In this special edition, Eva-Maria Segur Cabanac, a partner in our Vienna office and global sustainability lead for financial institutions, and Jennifer Klass, a partner in our New York office and co-chair of the financial regulation and enforcement practice in North America, talk to Ying Yi Liew on how the COVID-19 pandemic led to the prioritization of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations among financial institutions (FIs). They also cover progress around the creation of…
Taking off from the guide Crypto Around the World, the first of two episodes takes a broader look at general aspects of cryptoassets. Sue McLean, a partner in our London office, talks to the team that started this project. They cover high-level regulatory issues — both current and emerging — as well as retail investments in crypto.
Baker McKenzie partnered with Risk.net on their annual ranking of the Top 10 Op Risks for 2021. In this episode, Karen Man and Jennifer Klass, financial regulatory partners, respectively in our Hong Kong and New York offices, talk about this year’s list and share perspectives on what clients are experiencing in the market. Our partners provide situational examples in light of the continuing push for digitalization and sustainability, including relevant action items for senior executives.…
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) recently revised its Technology Risk Management Guidelines 2021 after feedback from a 2019 public consultation and engaging with cyber security experts. In this episode, Stephanie Magnus, Ken Chia, and Ying Yi Liew take a closer look at compliance, regulator expectations, cyber threats, and other important considerations — taking into account that financial institutions encompass large multinational banks, insurance companies and small fintech startups.
In this special edition, Sue McLean, partner and global tech lead for fintech and blockchain, talks to David Hart, a partner in our London office, and Lawrence C. Lee, a partner in our Palo Alto office, to discuss recent trends and developments around fintech. In this episode, they share their observations on recent innovations and take a closer look at various strategies behind the increase in investment and M&A activity. Fintech players, once seen as…
China’s financial institutions are navigating a rapidly evolving market. Recent government actions further strengthened and opened up the industry to more investors – both domestic and foreign. In this episode, Kevin Yuan and Lucca Li from our Shanghai office talk about the economic and regulatory situation, and how COVID-19 has impacted the industry. They also take a closer look at recent innovations and the future landscape for financial institutions in China.