Financial Institutions

Financial Institutions

We advise the full spectrum of financial institutions and fintechs, from traditional banking giants to digital asset and market infrastructure innovators, on high-profile transactions, complex regulatory matters and critical disputes, using our cohesive global platform to deliver tailored solutions.
Financial Institutions

Financial Institutions overview

Operating in one of the most heavily regulated sectors, financial institutions are navigating rapid technological change, market disruption and geopolitical uncertainty that are reshaping how they grow, compete and manage risk. White & Case's Financial Institutions Industry Group helps clients turn this complexity into opportunity. From high-stakes transactions and regulatory matters to bet-the-company litigation and investigations, we deliver coordinated, commercially focused advice on some of the industry’s most significant matters worldwide.

Our offering

Supporting financial institutions at critical moments

We advise across the financial services ecosystem, including banks, fintechs, payments and digital asset providers, asset and wealth managers, insurers, exchanges, clearinghouses, brokers and specialty finance companies. Clients turn to us at pivotal moments in their business, whether pursuing acquisitions, raising capital, entering new markets, responding to regulatory developments or defending their interests in disputes and investigations. Our integrated team advises on:

  • Growth and transformation: M&A, investments, restructurings, platform transactions, antitrust, FDI/CFIUS reviews and related regulatory approvals
  • Capital and financing: Capital raisings, debt finance, leveraged finance, private credit, bank capital issuances, high-yield offerings, securitizations, structured credit, sustainable finance and liability management
  • Regulation and operations: Financial services regulatory advice, licensing, conduct, prudential regulation, governance, regulatory compliance, multijurisdictional regulatory frameworks, payments, market infrastructure, funds and supervisory engagement
  • Digital, data and innovation: Fintech, embedded finance, digital assets, AI implementation, cloud computing, outsourcing, cybersecurity, privacy, GDPR and financial data compliance
  • Disputes and investigations: Litigation, enforcement, investigations, financial crime, sanctions, fraud and shareholder claims

Across these areas, we bring together the right combination of sector insight, legal discipline and cross-border execution to help financial institutions respond to immediate priorities while positioning their businesses for what comes next.

Complex and consequential matters

Citi

We advised Citi on the separation of Banamex and Citi in Mexico, one of the most significant financial transactions in Mexico in the past two decades, resulting in the creation of two independent financial groups of systemic importance.

Nomura Holdings America

We acted for Nomura Holdings America Inc., the US arm of Nomura Group, advising on its US$1.8 billion acquisition of Macquarie's US and European public asset management business.

Deutsche Bank

We supported Deutsche Bank, acting as arranger and placement agent, on the International Finance Corporation's inaugural trade finance synthetic securitization, a first-of-its-kind transaction that mobilizes private capital to support trade and jobs in emerging markets.

Groupe BPCE

We advised Groupe BPCE on the first European defense bond issued by a financial institution in Europe: a €750 million senior unsecured bond with a five-year maturity arranged by Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking. The funds raised will finance and refinance companies across the European defense and security value chain, as well as contracts for the development, manufacturing or production of specialized equipment in those sectors. This issue was included in Euronext's new European Defense Bond label.

UK Finance

We acted for UK Finance, the trade body of the UK banking and finance industry, in Supreme Court proceedings concerning the extent to which financial institutions are liable to reimburse customers who have fallen victim to third-party payment fraud.

BNP Paribas

We represented BNP Paribas, as lead arranger, initial purchaser and cross-currency swap provider, in a US$300 million Moody's-rated credit card securitization backed by receivables originated from Samsung Card Limited in South Korea, one of the first sustainability-linked ABS transactions in Asia-Pacific.

PayPal

PayPal Holdings, Inc. turned to us for advice on its acquisition of Paidy Inc., a leading two-sided payments platform and provider of buy-now, pay-later solutions in Japan, for an enterprise value of ¥300 billion, or approximately US$2.7 billion.

Bank Rakyat Indonesia

We advised Bank Rakyat Indonesia, one of Indonesia's largest state-owned banks, on its approximately IDR 95.92 trillion (US$6.7 billion) rights issue, which was named Equity Market Deal of the Year at the ALB Indonesia Law Awards.

Cryptocurrency and digital asset exchange

We represented one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency and digital asset exchanges in consolidated multi-district litigation alleging federal securities fraud and seeking approximately US$32 billion in damages, presenting cutting-edge issues concerning the application of federal securities laws to digital asset platforms. (Partner experience prior to joining White & Case.)