Banking, Insurance, and Financial Regulation

At Čechová & Partners, we regularly advise many local and, in particular, international credit and financial institutions, as well as their advisors and investors. Our assistance primarily includes complex regulatory and licensing advice in the areas of banking, finance, capital markets, collective investment, insurance, factoring, payment services, and electronic money. We regularly assist in localisation matters concerning contract documentation and the introduction of new products and business models for these institutions in the Slovak market. We also have a substantial track record in assisting with issues related to the mandatory application of procedures for protection against the legalisation of incomes from criminal activity and against terrorism financing (AML) with respect to regulated entities in the banking and financial sector.

“Čechová & Partners “meets tough deadlines” and advises Bank of America Merrill Lynch on regulatory matters.”Client states for The Legal500.

“They were very prompt and the service was complete. They seemed very keen to help and the product was very good.” Client states for Chambers Europe.

“In addition to being very skilled legally, they are pragmatic and straight to the point, and are always able to provide alternative solutions based on sound commercial grounds.” Client states for The Legal500 .

“Deep knowledge of international market standards and a truly international mindset.” Client states for The Legal500 .

“The team is always accessible and their responses are always quick and to the point.” Client states for The Legal500 .

References

Major British Retail Bank

Comprehensive legal advice on banking regulation to a Scottish retail bank in the process of a cross-border merger with a Dutch credit institution. This took place against the backdrop of the intra-group restructuring and demerger of the Dutch credit institution. Our advice included due diligence related to the Dutch bank’s standard contract documentation, as well as an assessment of the legal procedures for the contract portfolio transfer resulting from the intra-group demerger and its subsequent cross-border merger with our client as the successor banking institution in the post-merger stage.

Foreign Investment Fund and Investment Holding Company Owned by the Republic of Singapore

Comprehensive legal advice on financial regulation matters to a Singaporean investment company holding and managing a portfolio worth USD 177 billion in connection with the acquisition of an indirect ownership interest in a major life insurance company, pension management company, and supplementary pension management company operating in Slovakia.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Comprehensive legal advice on regulatory matters to Bank of America’s corporate and investment banking division in connection with financial instrument trading in Slovakia, including trading in securities and commodity derivatives, as well as the provision of regular updates on legislative developments in the area of trading related to these financial instruments.

BlackRock Inc.

Comprehensive legal advice to this US investment management company (the largest management company worldwide) on financial regulatory matters concerning collective investment in Slovakia, including applicable rules for offering investment into UCITS funds in Slovakia.

Major Providers of Innovative Mobile Payment Applications

Ongoing comprehensive legal advice on the regulation of payment services, electronic money, and related aspects of legislation concerning protection against the legalisation of incomes from criminal activity and protection against terrorism financing (AML) to clients providing innovative mobile payment applications, including a subsidiary of a US multinational technology company and a major British provider of payment services. Assessment of a business model in relation to major credit and debit card schemes, including the definition of contractual relationships with cooperating banks in Slovakia.

Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Ltd (Swiss Re)

Comprehensive legal advice on regulatory matters in the areas of insurance and reinsurance regarding a non-contentious matter for this Swiss client, which intended entering the Slovak insurance and reinsurance market. This included advice on all stages of the process to conclude insurance and reinsurance transactions, the marketing and sale of insurance products, and loss adjusting; our legal assistance continues through providing regular updates on regulatory aspects of the insurance & reinsurance sectors.

Swiss Insurance Company

Comprehensive legal advice on regulatory matters concerning insurance services, as well as regular updates on regulatory aspects of the insurance sector and special life and non-life insurance products to a major Swiss insurance company – a global company trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange.

Canadian Export Credit Agency

Legal advice on insurance sector regulation provided to a Canadian export credit agency owned by the Canadian Government with respect to the insurance and reinsurance of credit risks and the applicable regulatory regime for the provision of insurance services in Slovakia.

US Company Providing Third-Party Liability Insurance Services to Medical Companies and Innovators in Biomedical Science

Legal advice on insurance sector regulation, including the assessment and localisation of contract documentation for clinical trials and the adjustment of their insurance business model to the needs of the Slovak market.