Banking & Finance: Regulatory | Europe

NautaDutilh has an outstanding reputation for financial regulatory matters, representing financial sector clients in licensing applications, as well as the launch of new products. The regulatory team also advises clients on sustainability regulations. The law firm also has a well-regarded financing practice, assisting borrowers and lenders with real estate and acquisition financing and revolving credit facilities. Its financing practice further encompasses project finance mandates, notably in relation to construction projects and energy infrastructure. The law firm also handles cross-border financings, often involving the USA, Dutch Caribbean or the United Kingdom. The team has experience in financial restructuring and refinancing mandates.

Linklaters' team advises lenders on banking, finance and regulatory mandates, including acquisition financing, facilities agreements and mezzanine financing. The lawyers are also well versed with regulatory issues and assist clients with MiFID II compliance and licensing applications.

Loyens & Loeff has a well-regarded practice advising clients on corporate and real estate finance matters, with notable experience acting on acquisition finance. The law firm also acts on asset-based lending mandates and credit facilities, including the Dutch aspects of English law facilities. Team members are well known for assisting with regulatory matters, including regulatory approvals. Clients additionally benefit from the law firm's respected shipping finance expertise.

Stibbe is well regarded for financial regulatory matters and project finance mandates. The law firm assists clients with licensing applications and sustainable finance directives, as well as advising on fintech regulations, contentious mandates and anti-money laundering legislation. Stibbe also frequently assists sponsors and lenders with project finance matters, including PPP and PFI projects, often involving transport or energy infrastructure. The team is equally equipped to advise both borrowers and lenders on acquisition financing mandates, as well as revolving credit facilities agreements and sustainable financings.

A&O Shearman boasts a market-leading financing team with notable experience in acquisition finance mandates. The law firm is highly esteemed for assisting clients with credit facilities, term loans, leveraged finance and bridge financing. It is popular with both borrowers and lenders. It also offers a standout project finance group, advising on the financing of renewable energy projects. The law firm additionally assists with regulatory compliance and clearance matters in the financial sector, including licensing and market access issues.

Norton Rose Fulbright is one of the top law firms in the Netherlands for project finance mandates. The team is highly regarded for assisting lenders and construction consortiums with domestic and multi-jurisdictional project finance mandates, often in the renewable energy, technology and transport infrastructure sectors. Team members also have notable experience representing a range of clients in financial regulatory issues.

Simmons & Simmons assists clients with financial regulatory matters, representing financial sector clients before the Dutch central bank and advising on licensing issues, OTC-derivatives and MiFID compliance. The law firm also advises borrowers and lenders on mezzanine financing and revolving credit facility agreements. It often acts on acquisition finance matters, frequently involving real estate assets.

Clifford Chance is one of the leading financing practices in the Netherlands, with experience acting for both borrowers and lenders. The law firm is highly regarded for handling a range of financing transactions, including revolving credit facilities, sustainability-linked financing, refinancing and acquisition financing. Clifford Chance also has one of the top project finance teams in the Dutch market, particularly for energy and technology sector projects. The team also acts on regulatory matters, such as regulatory clearance, licence applications and financial sector regulations.

CMS attracts financial institutions and investment firms seeking regulatory advice on their entry into the Dutch market, acting on licensing procedures before the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets and governance matters. The team is well equipped to advise clients on compliance with EU and Dutch regulatory frameworks, including the EU's Instant Payment Regulation, MiFID II and MiCAR. It has further experience in the launch of new financial products and financial litigation.

Dentons' team is well placed to represent banks, asset managers and insurance companies in a range of financial regulatory mandates. The law firm also assists clients with licensing applications and compliance with GDPR and MiFID regulations. The practice is increasingly known for its involvement in project financing matters, often in relation to renewable energy and battery storage projects.

FIZ advocaten is a highly specialised Dutch boutique law firm in the financial regulatory space. The team's knowledge spans a variety of regulations, including DORA and MiFID II, with additional experience in AML obligations and licensing requirements. It further advises on matters linked to sustainability legislation, insurance-related mandates and financial litigation. The team's regulatory expertise also extends to the structuring of investment funds, acting on licensing applications and interactions with Dutch regulators. Team members also demonstrate skill in handling matters in the intersection of financial regulations and securitisation transactions.

Houthoff is a full-service Dutch law firm that advises borrowers on debt restructuring and real estate financing. The team also assists with the sale of loan portfolios, acquisition financing and revolving loan facilities. It has further experience acting for clients on sustainability-linked financing mandates. The law firm's capabilities in financing transactions are complemented by its regulatory expertise, with skill in advising on regulatory framework compliance, licensing procedures, payment services issues and crypto-related matters.

Osborne Clarke displays solid strength in the navigation of Dutch and EU financial regulations to assist banks aiming to build up their presence in the Netherlands. The team often interacts with the AFM to manage licensing procedures, with further skill in setting up new service offerings, governance advice and regulatory interpretation. In addition to regulatory expertise, the practice is regularly mandated by lenders, sponsors and borrowers to advise on financing matters, such as real estate, acquisition and leveraged financings. It is also noted for its highlights in refinancings.

Van Benthem & Keulen is a popular choice for prominent Dutch and multinational financial institutions that require advice on a variety of regulatory topics. The team regularly provides guidance on transparency obligations, AML legislation and the Dutch Financial Supervision Act. It further advises on DORA implementation, insurance-related matters and product launches. Alongside its advisory expertise, the lawyers equally demonstrate skill in the handling of financial litigation.