Department profile
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation

Canada Guide 2027 : Nationwide - Canada


Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blakes is recognized as having one of Canada's preeminent financial services practices including the largest, most active financial services regulatory practice in the country. We are known for our deep-bench strength and industry expertise. Many of the largest and most highly regarded financial institutions (including domestic and foreign banks, insurance companies, trust and loan companies and credit unions), operators of payment systems, financial-service providers and Fintechs retain us as counsel.

Our lawyers have wide-ranging experience in structuring, negotiating and documenting domestic and cross-border financing transactions, including syndications, project finance, asset-based lending, high-yield offerings, equipment finance, structured financing, subordinated debt arrangements, aircraft finance and capital markets debt offerings. Having pioneered many of the techniques and deal structures used in Canada today, Blakes is a leader in the securitization arena.

We offer leading expertise across all areas of bank regulation and compliance to leading foreign banks and their affiliates on establishing new entities, bank products and structuring cross-border arrangements in compliance with Canada’s banking legislation. Our lawyers are particularly skilled at assessing regulatory risk and developing strategies to meet a client’s needs and business model, communicating complex topics, and fostering strong relationships with regulators while maintaining the client’s reputation.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation - Nationwide - Canada

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Blake, Cassels & Graydon is a leading Canadian law firm with a highly regarded banking and finance practice. The firm advises financial institutions, borrowers and sponsors on acquisition finance, project finance, syndicated lending, refinancings and ESG-linked credit facilities, with notable strength in the real estate, mining and energy sectors. It is also well regarded for its banking regulatory expertise, including advice on financial services M&A, insurance regulation, anti-money laundering and strategic market expansion.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon acted for National Bank of Canada on its strategic acquisition of Canadian Western Bank.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon combine technical excellence with commercial judgement, delivering clear, solutions-oriented advice under tight timelines.

    Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon has learnt how we operate, so its advice really connects with our business. It is a real value-add.

    Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • Blake, Cassels & Graydon is the gold standard. The firm is so reliable and technically competent. The team has great bench strength, and the advice and technical abilities are top tier.

    Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • Blakes' is always very practical. The firm understands the business reality, and it's advice is always well rooted in applicable law. The team's responses are always quick and effective.

    Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • The breadth of Blakes' experience and depth of its team enable it to handle extremely sophisticated matters with ease.

    Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Michael Matheson
    Band 1Michael Matheson

    Michael Matheson

    Michael Matheson is a noted leader in Canadian banking and finance law, with expertise cutting across a range of areas, including syndicated lending and refinancing. He operates out of the firm's Toronto office.

    • He's the best lawyer on Bay Street.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • Band 1Paul Belanger
    Band 1Paul Belanger

    Paul Belanger

    Toronto-based Paul Belanger is highly rated for his regulatory expertise across all areas of Canadian financial services. His impressive client roster includes market-leading banks. He offers notable experience in the regulatory aspects of transactions in the financial sector.

    • Paul is always readily available and has great awareness of our business reality, and his advice is always practical, knowledgeable and rooted in experience.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Paul is very practical, and he has a deep understanding of the regulatory environment. He gives a very practical perspective on where the risks and opportunities are nuanced.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Paul has market-leading knowledge.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • Band 2Jacqueline D Shinfield
    Band 2Jacqueline D Shinfield

    Jacqueline D Shinfield

    Jacqueline Shinfield is a leading figure when it comes to financial services regulatory matters. She has extensive expertise in card payments, fintech and anti-terrorism financing regulations.

    • Our team is very happy and impressed with Jacqueline.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Jacqueline is a market leader in this space.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • Band 2Simon A Finch
    Band 2Simon A Finch

    Simon A Finch

    Simon Finch remains a trusted adviser for prominent banks and is frequently called upon to handle sophisticated lender-side mandates. He operates from the firm's Toronto office.

    • Simon is a tremendous lawyer. He is experienced and pragmatic.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Simon is able to navigate complex situations, and he is always able to balance commercial requirements with adequate legal protections for all involved parties.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Simon is among the best banking lawyers in Canada.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Simon provides excellent support, expertise and experience.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • Band 3Bonny Murray
    Band 3Bonny Murray

    Bonny Murray

    Bonny Murray operates from the firm's Toronto office and enjoys an excellent reputation in the financial services market. Her expertise ranges from payment processing contracts to payment system overhauls, and she also has experience assisting clients in obtaining Bank Act regulatory approvals.

    • Bonny is very well versed in the areas we need support in. I see her as a true partner.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Bonny is fantastic. She is very knowledgeable, client-focused and practical.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • Band 3J Michael McIntosh KC
    Band 3J Michael McIntosh KC

    J Michael McIntosh KC

    Michael McIntosh KC has cultivated an excellent reputation in the Canadian banking sector. He handles a variety of impressive mandates, including major project financing initiatives and financing amendments. Based in Calgary, he is particularly active in the energy and oil and gas sectors.

  • Band 4Mena Bellofiore
    Band 4Mena Bellofiore

    Mena Bellofiore

    Mena Bellofiore is noted for her financial regulatory compliance expertise, particularly in relation to payment and consumer protection laws. She is based in Toronto.

    • Mena's support is always prompt, detailed and takes into consideration our business reality.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Mena is great to work with. She is highly attuned to the industry, with a great perspective and great understanding of the technical side of these requirements.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Mena is an absolute specialist.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • Band 4Vladimir Shatiryan
    Band 4Vladimir Shatiryan

    Vladimir Shatiryan

    Toronto-based Vladimir Shatiryan draws strong praise for his depth of understanding in banking regulatory matters. He assists banks and other payment services providers with the regulatory aspects of transactions in the financial services sector and compliance with Canadian legislation.

    • Vladimir is practical, knowledgeable, outcome-focused and very responsive.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Vladimir does incredibly detailed analysis of complex situations, and he has a really great level of expertise.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Vladimir is an essential part of my team.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Vladimir is great. He is very responsive, knowledgeable and an effective communicator.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • The next generation is in great hands with Vladimir.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
  • Band 6Jennifer Hancock
    Band 6Jennifer Hancock

    Jennifer Hancock

    Jennifer Hancock is frequently seen acting for lenders on refinancing and financing amendment negotiations. She is based in Toronto.

    • Jennifer is always responsive and provides thorough, careful advice on a consistent basis. She demonstrates a strong understanding of the big picture, with strong attention to detail.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada
    • Jennifer is distinguished by strong market knowledge, clear judgement and a consistent ability to deliver practical advice on complex matters.

      Banking & Finance: Financial Services Regulation respondentCanada

Ranked Individuals at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP (9)

Nationwide - Canada

Members

Provided by Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP has rankings in the following guides

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