Financial Services

The financial services sector continues to evolve and innovate in response to digital developments, regulatory shifts and consumer demands. Six key themes are likely to impact financial services in the next five to ten years, posing significant legal implications:

Global inflation and the interest rate outlook
AI and digital transformation
ESG including Sustainable Finance
New regulation and increased regulatory scrutiny post-2023 bank failures
Cyber risk and financial crime
M&A activity including ongoing consolidation in banking, insurance and asset management

Our global multidisciplinary team advises the entire range of financial services businesses including banks, insurance and asset management firms on their key strategic projects and transactions. We also offer extensive market, regulatory and legal insights to navigate complex disputes and regulatory issues effectively.

We leverage technical know-how and in-depth financial services insights to deliver innovative legal solutions across the full range of transactions. We have a strong track record in structuring and executing complex cross-border deals including mergers and acquisitions, capital markets transactions and financing arrangements.

How can we help you?

Comprehensive financial services legal expertise

We offer well-informed, joined-up strategic legal advice, grounded in a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory, economic, and market challenges within the sector.

Clients benefit from our extensive track record in delivering expert guidance on:

Asset and fund management
Capital solutions
Clearing and Custody services
Commercial and retail banking
Debt and equity capital markets
Digital assets and Fintech
Insurance, Reinsurance and Insurance distribution services
Payment services
Pensions
Prime brokerage
Structured products and derivatives
Wealth management/private banking

Market leading global team supporting financial services clients

Our team of transactional, regulatory, disputes and advisory legal professionals operate seamlessly across practice areas and geographies. Our clients include:

Traditional and alternative asset managers
Insurance companies and intermediaries
Commercial and investment banks
Sovereign wealth funds
Private Capital firms
Fintech firms
Payments organisations
Global corporates engaged in the provision of financial services

Delivering insights to proactively embrace challenges and seize opportunities

The breadth of services and markets we cover and our position at the heart of the financial services community means we can provide unrivalled insights into both regulatory and market developments across the globe, helping clients to identify risks, solve their biggest business challenges and maximise growth opportunities.

Current market, regulatory developments and contentious issues we are advising on include:

Private credit
Financial services digital transformation
Investment products
Risk management, including regulatory investigations

Explore our financial services capabilities

Banks

Fintech

Insurance

Asset management

Client highlights

Clifford Chance advised Crédit Agricole S.A.

Clifford Chance advises Crédit Agricole S.A. on the acquisition of Santander’s 30.5% stake in CACEIS, its asset servicing provider. Following the envisaged transaction, Crédit Agricole S.A. will control 100% of the share capital of CACEIS.

Clifford Chance advised HSBC

Clifford Chance advised HSBC on the launch of market-first digital gold token for Hong Kong retail investors

Clifford Chance advised Legal & General

Clifford Chance advised Legal & General on the sale of its US protection business to Meiji Yasuda.

Clifford Chance advises Aviva

Clifford Chance is advising Aviva plc, one of the UK's leading diversified insurers, on its recommended cash and share takeover offer for Direct Line Insurance Group plc. The transaction values Direct Line at approximately £3.7 billion and is anticipated to be implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement.

Clifford Chance advised a leading global asset manager

Clifford Chance advised a leading global asset manager on all aspects of the sale of its North American and European private equity businesses to Brookfield including all related regulatory implications and workstreams across multiple jurisdictions.

Clifford Chance advised leading global insurer Generali

Clifford Chance advised leading global insurer Generali on the acquisition of Liberty Seguros, the Spanish insurance company operating in Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Northern Ireland from Liberty Mutual for €2.3 billion.

Financial regulation

The financial sector faces unprecedented challenges as the most far-reaching set of reforms in the history of the industry are implemented. Read our in-depth analysis of financial reforms.

Discover more

Insurance insights

Insights and opinions from our Global Insurance Group on the latest insurance trends, regulatory changes and developments, including the role of new technologies, shaping the global insurance market.